A school is a thriving place for children. Children not only study and learn about things but also participate in various extracurricular activities. Many children get injured at school during these activities. The accidents can result in minor wounds, major injuries, or fractures. Ensuring the well-being of staff and students is one of your school’s legal obligations and duty of care at all times.
Therefore, a first aid kit for your school is necessary. But arranging a first aid kit for your school can be a daunting task. There are plenty of online stores, such as aerohealthcare.com that you can use to purchase your first aid kit or replenish supplies that have been used. We’ve provided the handbook below so that you can make an informed choice when purchasing a first aid kit for your store.
The importance of a first aid kit in schools
- A school is a place with a lot of children. There is a possibility for a few students to get injured while playing, walking, and during other activities.
- It makes the students and their parents feel safe. They can feel reassured that if something happens to them, they will get first aid immediately.
- It keeps the victim’s health from deteriorating and the injury from worsening further.
- A first aid kit can be used for the treatment of small, non-life-threatening injuries, thereby preventing an emergency room visit.
- It can save lives when it comes to more severe, life-threatening injuries. It stabilizes the victim and prevents their condition from worsening till medical help arrives.
- Anyone with no prior medical knowledge can easily use a first aid kit.
- Having a first aid kit in your school is a must for meeting the legal safety requirements.
- You can help the injured individual feel better and alleviate pain by using the basic treatments in the first aid kit.
What should a first aid kit for your school contain?
Following are the items that every first aid kit in your school should contain:
- First aid emergency manual
- Gauze pads
- Absorbent cotton balls
- Antibacterial soap
- Bandages – Fabric bandages of various sizes
- Instant cold pack
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Adhesive strips
- Digital thermometer
- Nitrile disposable gloves
- Eyewash
- Sterile wipes
- Alcohol pads
- Antibiotic ointment
- Aspirin tablets
- Burn spray
- Pain relief spray
- Triangular bandage
- Wound dressing
These items should be sufficient enough to treat or provide first aid to the following medical conditions:
- Injuries to the head, bones, joints, muscles
- Fainting, unconsciousness, choking, reaction to allergies
- Bleeding, burns, heatstroke, and chest pain
These items should be kept in sufficient quantities so that you can treat more than one child at the same time.
Where should first aid kits be kept in your school?
The first aid kit should have a bright and noticeable color like red, white, orange, etc. These colors make the kit easily visible, thereby saving time while searching for it during emergencies. People must be aware of where they can find a first aid kit in case of an emergency.
The first aid kit locations in schools pose a major challenge as schools are usually big, and the first aid response is critical. First aid kits should be kept in all important locations in your school premises and all school vehicles. In case the student is unable to visit the school clinic, the first aid kit should be conveniently accessible to staff.
All locations should have fast and easy access to a first aid kit. Higher-risk environments, such as science labs or workshops may require multiple kits or larger kits with more components. Sports fields and playgrounds at a distance from the school building should have the required sports first aid kits. A map of the school campus with locations of first aid kits should be publicly displayed for everyone to see.