Avoiding Insect Stings
Few things are as distressing to a child than being stung by a wasp or bee. While insect stings are unpleasant for anyone, they are particularly nasty for little ones, who don't really understand why they are hurting.

Avoiding insect stings is better than dealing with them, so be sure to teach your children correct "insect etiquette".

First, help your child to stay calm if a wasp or bee flies near. Tell her to move very slowly and ot to swat at the insect, or wave her arms about, which may excite it and encourage it to sting.

Wasps have smooth stingers that remain intact on the insect. Bees and some yellow jackets have barbed stingers that hook into the skin. These should be removed as soon as possible because they continue to release venom for several minutes following the sting. Remove very gently, using a clean fingernail or knife blade. Scrape the sting out against the direction of entry to prevent further release of venom. In the case of a younger child, have someone hold him while you remove the sting.

To help quell the pain of an insect bite, apply calamine lotion, or use a Rougier Swab for insect bites. If an insect sting causes severe swelling, itching, pain or difficulty breathing, you should seek medical advice immediately. since not all reactions to insect bites/stings occur right away, you should remain vigilant for a day or so following the incident.

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Poison Ivy and Poison Oak
Poison ivy and its less common cousin, poison oak, are common causes of distress during the summer months, particularly for campers. The skin reacts to contact with these plants by producing a red, blistered, itchy rash wherever the leaves have touched the body.

If you or your child come into contact with an irritating plant, wash teh skin with cool water and soap as soon as possible. This will remove the irritating oil - known as urushiol - from the skin. Since the oil will be released on anything with which it comes in contact, the clothes should also be removed and washed. Dogs that have accompanied someone who has come into contact with poison ivy or oak should also be washed with soap and water, since their fur will likely be contaminated.

If itching is severe, you should seek medical advice as soon as you are able. Skin irritation resulting from exposure to poison ivy normally disappears in a week to 10 days.

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Preventing Food Poisoning
As enjoyable as they are, picnics and barbecues are rife with opportunities for food poisoning. Food that is left in the warm for long periods of time, that is handled with unwashed hands, or hasn't been cooked for long enough is highly likely to become contaminated with bacteria - leading to queasy tummies or worse.

Two rules of thumb when packing food for a picnic are to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. An insulated flask will keep soups and drinks hot. Just remember toheat it with boiling water immediately before filling with the hot food or liquid. Ice or ice packs will keep other items such as sandwich meats, dressings and wieners cool. Frozen juice packs work especially well and won't waste space in your cooler. Always replace the top of the cooler after every use and place it out of the sun.

If you are barbecuing, make sure that foods are thoroughly cooked before serving. Finally, always wash your hands (or use an antibacterial wipe), before preparing food outdoors.

If you or a family member suspect food poisoning and are vomiting and/or experiencing diarrhea, you should contact a health professional for advice.

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Treating a Sprained Ankle
A sprained ankle can be extremely painful and is a fast way to spoil an otherwise wonderful day. If you are hiking, or have a way to go on foot, a sprained ankle can seriously hinder you since it is unwise to continue walking with the injury.

An ankle sprain or "twisted ankle" results from a sudden sideways or twisting motion of the foot. This causes the outer ligaments to stretch too far or tear. Most ankle injuries can be avoided by warming up prior to activity and wearing appropriate footwear that supports the ankles.

If you are unfortunate enough to sprain an ankle, immediately stop what you are doing and apply RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation). Never try to walk or play through a suspected sprained ankle as you will only cause further injury and increase the degree of pain. If walkingis your only option, and you are with other people, let them help you keep weight off the injured ankle by supporting you. If you are alone, utilize a broken tree limb as a cane to provide support.

If you are prone to ankle injuries, strengthen your ankles with a brace such as the Futuro® adjustable ankle support. People with weak ankles often wear a support when participating in a walk or hike over rough terrain, or carry a support with them in the event of a mishap.

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What Should a First Aid Kit Contain?
There are no set rules as to what a First Aid kit should contain. The most helpful First Aid kits are customized for the people who may be using them. A first Aid kit for a hiker, for example, should contain items geared towards hiking mishaps, like blister pads, insect repellent pads and an emergency warming blanket. One put together for the whole family might contain items helpful for children, such as an anaesthetic "itch"  cream and colourful bandages. Everyone should have at least two First Aid kits at their disposal: one for the home and one for the car. Keep your kits in an accessible place that's out of the reach of children.

A First Aid Kit for Home
A first Aid kit for the home should contain supplies for treating minor household injuries such as burns, cuts and scrapes. These include:

Adhesive bandages including self-closing bandages for cuts and abrasions

• First Aid (adhesive) tape
• Sterile gauze
• Antiseptic would cleanser
• Antibiotic ointment
• Burn and sting relief product
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Disposable latex gloves
• Elasticized bandages for sprains
• Flashlight and batteries
• First Aid manual

A First Aid Kit for the Car
A First Aid kit for the car should contain everything noted above, in addition to:

• A knife or razor blade for removing slivers and insect stingers
• A small mirror
• Insect repellent
• Antiseptic wipes
• Soap
• Large square of light material to make a sling
• Instant hot and cold packs
• Short-term supply of prescription medications in child-proof bottles
• ASA or acetaminophen. (Never give ASA to a child under 14)

While not strictly First Aid supplies, your car emergency kit should also include a supply of bottled water, candles, matches, a small fire extinguisher, jumper cables, flares and a blanket.

A First Aid Kit for the Outdoors
If you are having a day out at the beach or park, a simple first aid kit containing bandages, scissors, tweezers, a razor blade or knife, and an antibiotic oitnment should suffice. If, however, you are planning an overnight trip or long hike, your kit should contain as many of the items listed in both sections above, as you can reasonably pack. Many of the items can be omitted at a pinch, such as soap, if you have antiseptic wipes to clean blisters and open wounds.

Additional items necessary for longer periods away from home and transportation include emergency reflective blankets for all members of your group, moleskin for hotspots and blisters, and several pairs of socks.

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