First Aid advice for Autumn trips and falls

First Aid advice for
Autumn trips and falls

 
During the autumn there are lots of hazards that aren’t usually around. I love to walk in the park and kick the leaves or bring some home to make pictures (sadly my children are getting too old for this) but they can be dangerous too. I’ve nearly fallen myself before now.
 

What to do if you trip and fall

Don’t forget your basic first aid for simple sprains and strains. Taking regular ‘over the counter’ type pain killers (whatever you would usually use) may help; even if you plan to go to the hospital or to your doctor it actually makes examining you easier if you’re not in so much pain. Rest the injured part and use ice packs, elevation is good too. I’m not a fan of bandaging for sprains and strains as they need to be applied correctly and this can be difficult.

It’s a myth that if you’ve broken something you can’t bend or move it, so don’t let that fool you. If you think whatever you’ve injured might be broken then you need to go to your local Walk-in centre, Minor Injuries unit or Emergency Department. If you’re not sure then you might like to try some of the first aid ideas above and if they’re not helping then you might like to be checked over.

If you think the injury is more serious then go hospital or call 999 or 112 as you think necessary.
 

What if there’s a wound?

The first aid for a wound follows SEEPAcronym stands for Sit, Elevate, Examine, Pressure
Sit or lie the person down as appropriate
Elevate the injured part
Examine the wound
Apply Pressure to stop the bleeding

If a wound is dirty and bleeding a small amount then it’s a good idea to clean it. Washing it under the tap is a good idea; this might make it easier to see how severe the wound is too.

If you think you need to go to hospital then bear in mind that there is a ‘window of opportunity’ to close a wound with stitches, steristrips or glue and that’s generally 12 hours.

If you don’t think you need to see anyone then a clean dry dressing is all you need. I’m not a fan of antiseptic ointment as they can create a great environment for infection. Be on the lookout for signs of infection – redness, heat, swelling, increasing pain, pus or discharge and any red lines that are spreading from the wound. Any of these then seek medical advice.
 
I hope this has helped. If you have any tips please share them and comment below or you’re welcome to contact us.

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