First aid charity St John Ambulance is urging everyone to learn some basic first aid skills ahead of the bonfire night celebrations.
St John Ambulance volunteers will be attending firework events across the region so that anyone who needs first aid gets it quickly. However, injuries are much more likely to occur at private parties, where trained volunteers won't be on hand to help.
Statistics show that thousands of people will visit A&E every year for treatment of a firework-related injury. But with some basic first aid skills, everyone can be prepared to help in a firework first aid emergency.
St John Ambulance's free, interactive Big First Aid Lesson is available now for young people to learn too. All teachers or parents need to do to sign up is to go to www.sja.org.uk/bigfirstaidlesson. This year's theme is Bonfire Night and how to deal with fireworks-related injuries.
Burns or scalds
If someone has got a burn or scald:
Move the person away from the heat
Place the burn or scald under cool running water for 10 minutes minimum
If the burn is to a child, larger than your hand, on the face, hands or feet, or is a deep burn, call 999
Remove jewellery and clothing around the area, unless stuck to the burn
Cover the burn loosely, lengthways with kitchen film to prevent infection
Don't burst blisters
Monitor and treat for shock if necessary
Tell them to seek medical advice.
Debris in the eye
If someone's got something in their eye:
Tell them not to rub it, so they don't make it worse
Pour clean water over their eye to wash out what's in there and/or to cool the burn
If this doesn't work, try to lift the debris out with a damp corner of a clean tissue
If this doesn't work either, don't touch anything that's stuck in their eye – cover it with a clean dressing or non-fluffy material
Then take or send them straight to hospital.
Smoke inhalation
If someone's inhaled smoke fumes:
Move them away from the smoke so they can breathe in some fresh air
Help them sit down in a comfortable position and loosen any tight clothing around their neck to help them breathe normally
If they don't recover quickly, call 999 for an ambulance.
For those looking for quick, easily accessible first aid information, the St John Ambulance app is available free on smartphones and the website www.sja.org.uk offers demo videos, an interactive game, and lots of free advice. For more information about first aid courses call 0844 770 4800.
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