Remember, remember first aid in November

St John Ambulance issues simple first aid advice for Bonfire Night celebrations

Leading first aid charity St John Ambulance is urging everyone to learn some basic first aid skills ahead of the Bonfire Night celebrations.

St John Ambulance volunteers will be attending firework events across Greater Manchester so that anyone who needs first aid gets it quickly. However, injuries are much more likely to occur at private parties, where trained volunteers won’t be on hand to help.

Every year, around 1,000 people will visit A&E for treatment of a firework-related injury in the four weeks around the 5 November. But with some basic first aid skills, everyone can be prepared to help in a firework first aid emergency.

Simon Dunn, Regional Director at St John Ambulance said: “St John Ambulance is keen that people enjoy Bonfire Night but don’t end their celebrations in hospital. Fireworks and bonfires can provide fun and entertainment for families at a time of year when the evenings are rather dark and gloomy. They literally light up the sky.

“Our volunteers will be on hand to provide expert first aid assistance at public displays across the region but if you are organising a private event, you need to know what to do if there is a first aid emergency.

“Our Big First Aid Lesson is a great way for young people to learn too, it will air on 3 November and all teachers or parents need to do is go to www.sja.org.uk/bigfirstaidlesson and sign up, it’s free, interactive and a great way for children, and adults, to learn to basic first aid skills”.

Firework First Aid

Burns or scalds

If someone’s got a burn or scald:

• Move the person away from the heat.
• Place the burn or scald under cool running water for 10 minutes minimum.
• If the burn is to a child, larger than your hand, on the face, hands or feet, or is a deep burn, call 999.
• Remove jewellery and clothing around the area, unless stuck to the burn.
• Cover the burn loosely, lengthways with kitchen film to prevent infection.
• Don’t burst blisters.
• Monitor and treat for shock if necessary.
• Tell them to seek medical advice. 

If someone’s got something in their eye:

• Tell them not to rub it, so they do not make it worse.
• Pour clean water over their eye to wash out what’s in there and/or to cool the burn.
• If this doesn’t work, try to lift the debris out with a damp corner of a clean tissue.
• If this doesn’t work either, do not touch anything that’s stuck in their eye – cover it with a clean dressing or non-fluffy material.
• Then take or send them straight to hospital.

If someone’s inhaled smoke fumes:

• Move them away from the smoke so they can breathe in some fresh air.
• Help them sit down in a comfortable position and loosen any tight clothing around their neck to help them breathe normally.
• If they don’t recover quickly, call 999/112 for an ambulance.