HOME EMERGENCY GUIDE DK Publishing HOME EMERGENCY GUIDE C ONTRIBUTORS Dr. Vivien Armstrong • Dr. Sue Davidson • Professor Ian Davis David Holloway • John McGowan • Tony Wilkins David R.Goldmannn MD FACP • Allen R.Walker MD • John Cunningham Produced for Dorling Kindersley by C OOLING B ROWN 9–11 High Street, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 2SA Project Editor • Alison Bolus Senior Designer • Tish Mills Creative Director • Arthur Brown Managing Editor • Amanda Lebentz D ORLING K INDERSLEY Senior Managing Editor • Jemima Dunne Managing Art Editor • Louise Dick Senior Art Editor • Marianne Markham DTP Designer • Julian Dams DK P UBLISHING Senior Editor • Jill Hamilton Senior Art Editor • Susan St. Louis Editorial Assistant • Kate Hamill Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this book is complete and accurate. However, the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures and suggestions contained in this book are general and not intended as a substitute for consulting a relevant specialist in individual cases. The publisher would in any event always advise the reader to consult his or her doctor or other health professional for specific information on personal health matters. The publisher cannot accept any legal responsibility for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion contained in this book. First published in the United States in 2003 by DK Publishing, Inc. 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014 00 01 02 03 04 05 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Copyright © 2002 Dorling Kindersley All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. ISBN 0-7894-9346-2 Color reproduction by GRB Editrice, Verona, Italy Printed and bound in Singapore by Star Standard Industries (Pte.) Ltd. See our complete product line at www.dk.com LONDON, NEW YORK, MUNICH, MELBOURNE, AND DELHI C ONTENTS Action in an emergency .10 Resuscitation techniques 12 Choking (adults and children) .22 Choking (babies under 1) .24 Heart attack .25 Asthma attack .26 Shock 27 Anaphylactic shock .28 Head injury 29 Stroke .30 Severe bleeding .31 Penetrating chest wounds 32 Cuts and scrapes 33 Splinters .34 Eye wound .35 Foreign object in the eye .36 Chemicals in the eye .37 Bleeding from the mouth 38 Nosebleed 39 Emergency childbirth 40 Major seizures .42 Febrile seizures 43 Broken arm 44 Broken leg .45 Spinal injuries 46 Sprains and strains 47 Severe burns 48 Minor burns and scalds .49 Sunburn .50 Heat exhaustion 51 Heatstroke .52 Fainting 53 Hypothermia .54 Frostbite .55 Swallowed poisons 56 Snake and spider bites 57 Animal and tick bites . 58 Insect and scorpion stings .59 First-aid equipment 60 1 FIRST AID How to use this section .66 Assessing symptoms (adults) .68 Assessing symptoms (children) 70 Not feeling well .72 Fever (adults) .74 Fever (children) 76 Excessive sweating .78 Lumps and swellings 80 Feeling faint /passing out 82 Headache 84 Vertigo 86 Numbness and /or tingling 88 Facial pain .90 Difficulty speaking .91 Forgetfulness or confusion 92 General skin problems 94 Rash with fever 96 Eye pain or irritation 98 Disturbed/impaired vision .100 Earache .102 Sore throat .103 Hoarseness or loss of voice 104 Coughing (adults) 106 Coughing (children) .108 Shortness of breath (adults) .110 Breathing problems (children) 112 Wheezing 114 Difficulty swallowing 115 Vomiting (adults) .116 Vomiting (children) 118 Abdominal pain (adults) .120 Abdominal pain (women) .122 Abdominal pain (children) 124 Abdominal swelling .126 Anal and rectal problems 127 Diarrhea (adults) 128 Diarrhea (children) .130 Constipation .132 Chest pain .134 Palpitations .136 Poor bladder control 137 Painful urination 138 Back pain 140 Neck pain or stiffness 142 Arm or hand pain 144 Leg pain 145 Joint pain 146 Swollen ankles 148 Erectile dysfunction .150 Testes and scrotum problems .151 Penis problems .152 Breast problems .154 Painful menstrual periods .156 Heavy menstrual periods .157 Abnormal vaginal bleeding 158 Vaginal discharge .160 Genital irritation (women) .161 Home medicine chest 162 Caring for a sick person .164 2 FAMILY ILLNESS Planning for disaster 220 Severe storm .226 Flood .228 Extreme cold .230 Wildfire .232 Hurricane 234 Tornado .236 Earthquake .238 Volcanic eruption .240 Tsunami .242 Post-disaster survival 244 Useful addresses and online listings 250 Index .253 Acknowledgments .256 Home safety 172 Yard safety 178 Fires in the home .180 Gas leaks .184 Plumbing problems .186 Central-heating problems .192 Air-conditioning problems .194 Electrical problems .196 Structural problems 200 Insects and pests .208 Furniture and furnishings 210 Home security .212 3 HOUSEHOLD EMERGENCIES 4 NATURAL DISASTERS Knowing what to do in a medical emergency, such as when someone suffers a heart attack, a deep chest wound, or a snake bite, could save the victim’s life. This section tells you how to recognize important symptoms and give appropriate first-aid treatment in a wide range of situations, with full details on resuscitating an unconscious person. Action in an emergency .10 Resuscitation techniques .12 Choking (adults and children) .22 Choking (babies under 1) .24 Heart attack .25 Asthma attack .26 Shock 27 Anaphylactic shock .28 Head injury 29 Stroke .30 Severe bleeding 31 Penetrating chest wounds 32 Cuts and scrapes 33 Splinters .34 Eye wound .35 Foreign object in the eye .36 Chemicals in the eye .37 Bleeding from the mouth .38 Nosebleed 39 Emergency childbirth .40 Major seizures .42 Febrile seizures 43 Broken arm 44 Broken leg .45 Spinal injuries 46 Sprains and strains 47 Severe burns 48 Minor burns and scalds 49 Sunburn .50 Heat exhaustion 51 Heatstroke .52 Fainting 53 Hypothermia .54 Frostbite .55 Swallowed poisons 56 Snake and spider bites 57 Animal and tick bites 58 Insect and scorpion stings .59 First-aid equipment 60 1 FIRST AID FIRST AID Action in an emergency 10 ACTION PLAN ACTION ELIMINATE DANGER, OR REMOVE THE VICTIM FROM DANGER, ONLY IF YOU CAN DO SO WITHOUT PUTTING YOURSELF AT RISK. DIAL 911. ACTION PLACE VICTIM IN THE RECOVERY POSITION (pp.14–15). CHECK FOR SIGNS OF INJURY. DIAL 911 OR CALL EMS. ACTION CHECK THE VICTIM’S INJURIES (p.11) AND TREAT AS APPROPRIATE. CALL FOR HELP IF NECESSARY. Yes No Are you and/or the victim in any danger? Yes No Is the victim talking to you? Yes No Is the victim breathing? Yes No Dial 911 or call EMS. Give rescue breaths (pp.16–17). Are there any signs of circulation? START ACTION GIVE CPR (pp.18–20). ACTION CONTINUE RESCUE BREATHS . When faced with an emergency, try to remain calm and controlled so that you can act effectively. Before assessing the victim’s condition and carrying out the appropriate first aid, make sure that you are not putting yourself in danger. You will not be able to help anyone else if you become a victim yourself. If possible, have someone else dial 911 while you deal with the situation. Yes No Is the victim conscious? [...]...ACTION IN AN EMERGENCY ASSESSING A VICTIM’S INJURIES • Deal first with any life-threatening Check the victim to assess her injuries conditions the victim may have, such as unconsciousness (p.21), breathing difficulties... EMS • Look for clues to the cause of the condition, such as needle marks, medical warning bracelets, or identification cards • Ask bystanders for any information they may have that you can give to the emergency services serious injuries • Control any bleeding (p.31) Check for and support suspected broken arms or legs (pp.44–45) 4 Monitor victim • Stay with the victim until medical help arrives Monitor . HOME EMERGENCY GUIDE DK Publishing HOME EMERGENCY GUIDE C ONTRIBUTORS Dr. Vivien Armstrong • Dr. Sue. .256 Home safety 172 Yard safety 178 Fires in the home .180