Whether you’re on a road trip, at the park, camping, hiking or biking, summer is a great time to try a new activity or visit a new place.
No matter what is on your summer activity list, it’s always a good idea to play it safe and pack a first-aid kit to have on hand for those unique summer injuries.
“Common summer injuries include scrapes, bites and stings, sprains, splinters and sunburns,” said Kevin Cox, pharmacist at Nanaimo’s Real Canadian Superstore. “The change of season is a great time to take inventory and re-stock your first-aid kit with items specific to the season’s hazards.”
The following items are recommended for a summer first-aid kit:
* Various sized adhesive bandages.
* Antiseptic topical spray, antibiotic cream or ointment.
* Hydrocortisone cream to stop inflammation.
* Oral antihistamines to stop swelling and itching.
* Tweezers and scissors to remove splinters, small rocks or gravel from scrapes, ticks that have attached to the skin or to cut bandages.
* Alcohol wipes for disinfecting scrapes and tools (tweezers).
* A soft cloth to use as a compress and aloe vera gel or lotion to help relieve sunburn pain.
* Analgesics (acetaminophen or ibuprofen).
* Anti-nausea medication especially if you’re going on long car rides or boats.
* Latex-free protective gloves.
* Instant cold pack.
* Thermometer.
* Any prescription drugs you or your family take including an epinephrine auto-injector if you are with people who have severe allergies.
For more information, please go to www.drugstorepharmacy.ca.