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Essential items for your first aid kit With any luck, our at-home first aid kits will mostly be gathering dust in the cupboard but on those occasions when accidents happen at home, it’s essential that your kit is in good condition and filled with the basics required for treating minor ailments on the spot. When was the last time you checked if your first aid kit was fit for purpose should an accident occur in your house? Why not take the time TODAY to follow our check list and get your small emergency response kit ready for action?! Key Essentials to include: Waterproof or Fabric Plasters Skin Closure Strips Antiseptic Wipes Small and Medium gauze sterile dressings Microporous tape Tweezers Small nail scissors Many of these items, and more, will already be found in most ready-made First-Aid Kits which will also include items like cool packs, eye wash vials, triangular bandages and even foil blankets, but these 7 items are the top essentials to keep up to date in your kit.  In addition we’d highly recommend taking your kit to the next level with these extras: Additional Essentials: Thermometer (preferably digital and either the forehead, oral or in-ear type). Always keep spare batteries in the kit too. Painkillers - paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen Antihistamine Cream for stings and bites First Aid Manual - a hugely useful addition to your kit and a potential lifesaver. Teaches you how to deal with minor injuries from splinters to burns, as well as how to respond to life threatening scenarios like heart attacks and strokes.  Oximeter - for measuring blood oxygen levels (particularly useful for monitoring patients suffering from Covid at home). First Aid on the Move Small accidents don’t only happen in the home, and when you have a young family, in particular, it can sometimes feel like you are endlessly dealing with minor issues that require a plaster or more. So we would definitely recommend that you pop a Car First Aid Kit in your glovebox for those emergencies as well as a smaller kit with some plasters, microporous tape and antiseptic wipes in your bag. We can also recommend a Dental First Aid Kit - for dealing with those toothaches and dental issues that will inevitable happen ‘out of hours’. Do an Annual MOT! We recommend that you do an annual check on your home first aid kits to replace any used items, make sure the plasters etc are still in good condition, check that the medicines are still in date and replace the batteries on any digital apparatus. It’s also a very good idea to make sure that you keep your kit somewhere easily accessible (making sure it’s out of reach of very small children) and that everyone in your household knows where to find it and what to do with the items it holds. If you and your household are keen to further your first aid skills, there are some fantastic (and often free) courses available. Take a look at the St. John’s Ambulance or British Red Cross websites for their excellent resources on first aid training.It’s likely that in the ‘panic’ of the moment we might forget the best protocol for dealing with a burn or gash etc, so taking a good first aid course will give you the extra skills you might need to manage any of these small emergencies with confidence. Need more help with buying your first aid kit essentials? We're always here to help. For all your Medical and Homecare supplies give us a call at Mediworld. We have over 40 years experience in medical, surgical and home health supplies and we're always on hand to chat if you need support or advice. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Photo by Kristine Wook on Unsplash September 2022

Whether you live alone or are part of a large, busy family, you’re very likely to have a first aid kit gathering dust in a cupboard somewhere at home. Or perhaps, you’re unlucky enough to have had to use yours quite often because of a series of minor cuts and bruises or bouts of short illness. Either way, it’s likely that your first aid kit is not properly stocked or that some of the key items have gone ‘out of date’ and are no longer fit for use. So, with Spring approaching and the time to clear out and organise our homes, we’d like to encourage you all to spring clean your first aid kits this month. Read on for our guide to putting together the ideal first aid kit for you and your family. Home First Aid Kit Essentials Buying a pre-packed first aid kit is a great starter for your home first aid essentials. We would, however, recommend supplementing it with one or two key items that you should always have in your home to treat small injuries and ailments. Make sure your home first aid kit includes: Assorted waterproof plasters Absorbent dressings Roll of microporous tape Tweezers Antiseptic wipes (although if this is missing you can clean a small wound effectively with simple soap and warm water) Hydrocortisone or Calendula cream (small tube) for skin irritations/bites etc Skin closures Paracetamol tablets (or infant paracetamol for children) Crepe bandage Blister plasters A digital thermometer - make sure you regularly check the batteries An Oximeter - since the covid pandemic this device is fast-becoming an essential first aid kit item. You can read more now our blog to find out why you need one at home. In addition you might include Ibuprofen and aspirin tablets (not to be given to children under 16) Diarrhoea/Loperamide capsules PLEASE REMEMBER - that if you’re keeping any medicines in your first aid kit it should always be kept out of reach of children, preferably in a locked/secured cabinet. Maintaining Your First Aid Kit Being able to treat minor illnesses, injuries and ailments at home means that you can, hopefully, avoid unnecessary trips to the GP, pharmacist or A & E - services that are already overwhelmed. Where appropriate, and where it’s sensible, many small medical situations can be dealt with easily at home if you have the right kit to hand. So it makes sense to have a well stocked medicine cabinet and first aid kit in your home. Many pre-packed kits will come with a helpful booklet with advice on how to treat smaller ailments like cuts, bruises and even minor burns. You will find it useful to read this regularly so that you’re prepared if/when an incident occurs. However if in doubt always call the NHS helpline on 111 if you’re unsure how to deal with the injury or you think it may require medical attention. In life-threatening situations always call 999. Need more help? We're always here to help so get in touch today. For all your Medical and Homecare supplies give us a call at Mediworld. We have over 40 years experience in medical, surgical, mobility and home health supplies and we're always on hand to chat if you need support or advice and don't forget to read our other great health blogs! March 2022

As we age or as our mobility decreases it’s important to keep living independently for as long as possible. The ability to manage household chores like cooking, cleaning and self-care as safely as possible is paramount to being able to remain in our own homes for longer. There are a number of simple changes you can implement in your house to improve your way of life and make a huge difference between living independently and living with difficulty, limitations and extra carers in your home. Here are our top tips for how to easily adapt your home to suit your daily needs. Kitchen Safety Independent living calls for you to be able to cook and feed yourself safely and successfully every day. The kitchen can be a hazardous place at the best of times but these small household adaptations can help to make the kitchen chores easier. A pan handle holder will keep your hot pots and pans in place while you’re cooking at the hob. When you’re less stable on your feet this can provide peace of mind and remove any concern over burns from scalding water. Again, lifting the kettle when it’s full of boiling water can be a dangerous moment in the kitchen. A kettle tipper supports the heavy kettle while you pour the water and removes risk of scalding. Other simple kitchen accessories that can be invaluable to your ability to manage cooking and feeding yourself are tap turners, a jar and bottle opener for those awkward, stiff bottles and an easy-grip Chef Knife which is useful for arthritis sufferers because of its soft grip and contours that lessen stress on the hand and wrist. Bathroom Safety Falling during showering, bathing, toileting or washing is a major concern for the elderly and less mobile. Thankfully there are a number of simple adaptations designed to keep your bathroom safe. A raised toilet seat or one with armrests can support you while using the toilet Installing Grab bars for the shower or bath can help to prevent falls and support your bodyweight while maneuvering in and out. Whilst in the shower you might find it helpful to use a sturdy plastic shower seat   Improve Access Make it easier to access the house at all external entrances. Fit Hand rails for the front/back doorstep as well as at any internal steps or awkward stairways to provide stability and prevent falls If you’re a temporary or regular wheelchair user you will need to allow proper access for your chair with a ramp. Redesigning your front door area to remove steps or planting can be very costly so you could consider a temporary or foldaway wheelchair ramp  A key access box fitted outside your front door is recommended to allow access to you and your home by carers or medical professionals in the event of an emergency. Make your Home Fall-Proof Having a good clear-up is a great start. Remove trip hazards and free up plenty of floor space for easy access around the home. Your doctor might recommend using a cane or walker to keep you steady Wearing sturdy, properly fitting shoes with nonslip soles is essential for preventing falls and may also help to reduce joint pain. We recommend wearing comfortable, non-slip slippers which are wide-fitting and very easy to put on & take off. If you're still unsure, we at Mediworld can advise you on how to equip your home for your specific needs to continue living independently. We have over 40 years of homecare and medical experience and are more than happy to help. For all your Medical and Homecare supplies give us a call at Mediworld. We have over 40 years experience in medical, surgical and home health supplies and we're always on hand to chat if you need support or advice. January 2022