ALOE PLANT

What does a plant have to do with safety? Well, face it, if you cook a lot you will get burned occasionally. Like when you take that hot pan out of the oven, place it on a burner to make a sauce and grab the handle with a bare hand, forgetting it's hot. Been there! Or when there are so many things in the oven and your arm touches a hot casserole when checking another. Done that! The aloe plant is a succulent, meaning it retains moisture in the thick leaves, and a well-known healing agent for minor burns. They grow easily indoors with indirect sunlight and little care. I started with one small plant that is now in two large pots and needs additional separating. To use, first place the burned area under cold running water. Then break off an aloe leaf and rub the open end on the burn. Rub more on as needed whenever the area starts burning. Eventually, the burning feeling will go away. This is also good for sunburn and fire ant bites. By the way, when you do take that hot pan out of the oven, keep a hot pad on the handle so you won't forget it's hot.

1ST DEGREE BURNS
(First degree burns damage the outer layer of skin)

CHARACTERISTICS:

1.       Redness

2.       Mild pain

3.       Swelling

TREATMENT:

1.       Immediately submerge the affected part in cold water.

2.       Hold it under cold running water, or place cold, wet cloths on it until the pain decreases.

3.       Cover with a clean, dry gauze dressing for protection.

2ND DEGREE BURNS
(Second-degree burns go through to the second layer of skin)

CHARACTERISTICS:

1.       Blisters

2.       Rough, red skin

3.       Swelling

4.       Extreme Pain

TREATMENT:

1.       Immerse in cold water or have cold, wet cloths applied to it immediately.

2.       Gently blot area dry. Do not rub. Rubbing may break the blister, opening it to infection.

3.       Cover wound with dry, sterile bandage.

4.       If burn is located on arm or leg, keep limb elevated as much as possible.

**Second-degree burns should heal within a few weeks.

3RD DEGREE BURNS
(Third degree burns are less painful than second degree burns because the nerve cells in the affected tissue are actually destroyed, but the damage is greater. The burn goes through to the third layer of skin)

CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Whitish or charred appearance

TREATMENT:

1.       Do not remove any clothing near or at the site of the burn

2.       Do not apply cold water or medication to the burn.

3.       Place clean, dry cloths (i.e. strips of a clean sheet) over the damaged area.

4.       If burns are on arms or legs, keep the limbs elevated above the level of the heart.

5.       If victim has burns on face, check frequently to make sure he is not having difficulty breathing.

6.       Get victim to a hospital at once.

CHEMICAL BURNS

1.       Remove clothing on or near the burn area. Never pull clothing over the head with a chemical burn. You may need to cut the clothing.

2.       Wash the area thoroughly with low-pressure water for at least 20 minutes.

3.       Apply a clean dressing to the area.

4.       Get medical attention as soon as possible.

BLEEDING
 

1.       Apply direct pressure. Place a clean, folded cloth over the injured area and firmly apply pressure. If blood soaks through, do not remove it. Instead, cover that cloth with another one and continue to apply pressure to the wound for 7-10 minutes.

2.       Elevate the injury. Position the wounded part of the body above the level of the heart if possible while you apply direct pressure.

CUTS

1.       Cleanse area thoroughly with soap and warm water, carefully washing away any dirt.

2.       Apply direct pressure to wound until bleeding stops.

3.       Put sterile bandage on wound.

4.       If cut is deep, get to a doctor as quickly as possible.

CHOKING

If a person is choking, you should not interfere as long as he is coughing. If coughing does not dislodge the object from the trachea and the victim is breathing with extreme difficulty, or if he

turns a bluish color and appears to be choking but is unable to cough or speak, quickly ask, "Are you choking?" A choking victim can nod his head "yes," but will be unable to talk. It is important to ask this question because a person suffering from a heart attack will have similar symptoms, but he will be able to talk.

THE ABDOMINAL THRUST: If the victim is choking...

1.       Stand behind him with your arms around his waist.

2.       Place one fist, with the knuckle of the thumb against the victim's midsection, slightly above the navel but well below the breastbone.

3.       Hold your fist firmly with the other hand and pull both hands sharply toward you with an upward-and-inward jab.

4.       This procedure should be administered continually until either the object is forced out or the victim becomes unconscious.

Due To The Force With Which The Abdominal Thrust Is Given, It Should Be Used only In An Actual Emergency.