Sarah’s Health Notes: Festive first aid

In some ways, nothing changes. For the last three decades I have written the same thing before every Christmas, reminding everyone to do a little bit of health planning and checking. It’s a bit like taking an umbrella in case it rains – it probably won’t but it’s absolutely worth prepping just in case.

First Aid kit Make sure it has all the products you might need, including burn gel (very important for the cooks of the household). If you haven’t already got a kit in the cupboard (and don’t forget to take one with you if you’re on the move), you’ll find plenty in high street chemists or online. Go for a comprehensive one such as this 220 Piece Premium First Aid Kit Bag/£26.99, which has all the usual stuff you might need plus ice packs (keep in freezer) and emergency blankets.

St John Ambulance also has a range of kits, including ones for the workplace and specific kits for burns.

First Aid information It’s worth having a book to hand in case access to online information is compromised by power cuts. St John Ambulance First Aid Manual is my go to.

Pharmaceutical drugs Check supplies are sufficient to last until the first week of the New Year. If something goes wrong – which happened to us one year with an Aussie visitor who forgot the drugs for his heart condition… – you should be able to get emergency supplies from a pharmacy. Which leads me on to…

Nearest pharmacy and hospital Do check these out, just in case.  

NHS emergency contact Visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111, which is available 24/7. (There is provision for people who are deaf so do check out the NHS 111 British Sign Language service available in your country, here.)

For queries about Covid-19, call 119 - they are very helpful; the info on the websites re isolation/exemptions etc is very muddling I’ve found from personal experience.

Prize Draws