LA Wildfires: First Aid Advice from a Cedars Sinai Trauma Nurse Educator

Most preventable injuries-cuts, burns, sprains and fractures-happen at home.

And as people in Los Angeles County spend more time indoors in the aftermath of widespread wildfires-avoiding smoke-filled air, keeping out of the way of emergency responders and sheltering in place-they should be prepared to treat some of those injuries on their own, when possible, said Gregory Jones, RN, injury prevention and outreach coordinator for the Cedars-Sinai Trauma Program.

"It's good to have basic knowledge-and a first-aid kit-ahead of time," Jones said. "Unfortunately, many people don't think about it until it's too late. You want to prevent being in a situation in which you are completely unprepared."

When Jones-whose job is to be prepared for emergencies and trauma-was recently faced with looming evacuation orders during an approaching wildfire, he was reminded first-hand that proper planning and preparation take time, focus and even practice.

"I talk every day about the importance of being prepared, and yet, as we packed to evacuate, I still needed to pause and recenter myself," he said. "Be as ready as you can for an emergency, and that includes at-home first-aid planning. Know what to do to help yourself or someone else."

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroomspoke with Jones about ways to prepare for and treat injuries at home, especially when it may be difficult to leave the house for immediate care.

What is the first thing a person should do if they've been injured at home or are looking to help someone who has?

Assess the situation and take a deep breath. Basic knowledge of first-aid practices will help. For example, for a bad cut, you should apply pressure to stop bleeding. If someone else is injured, consider whether it's safe for you to help, or whether there is a chance you also could get injured. Also think, "Is this bigger than what I can do at home?" If that's the case, make every effort to seek medical help. If there's a life-threatening emergency, call 911. But when it comes to immediate care for cuts, burns, sprains and fractures, even a little knowledge goes a long way. So does a first-aid kit.

What should be in a first-aid kit?

A basic first-aid kit should have bandages, gauze, medical tape and an antibiotic cream. To supplement that, you could include varying sizes of bandages, extra gauze and a small pair of scissors. If you have young children, add fun adhesive bandages or stickers. SpongeBob SquarePants is a very good distraction from an injury.

What is the best way to treat a bad cut?

First, if there's glass on the floor and you're barefoot, grab slippers. Wash the cut with soap and water and apply direct pressure to stop bleeding. Dress the wound with antibiotic cream and cover it with a sterile bandage or gauze. Cleaning and covering the wound are critical to prevent infection. If you don't have a bandage, use a clean kitchen towel or a T-shirt. Even a sock would work; in an emergency, you may need to improvise and use whatever is handy.

In the case of an amputation-you've lopped off the end of a finger chopping vegetables-try not to panic. Put the amputated part in a plastic bag filled with water and ice. This ice bath may allow it to be reattached when you are able to access medical care.

A word about pets: If your pet gets a cut, clean the wound with soap and water, use antibiotic cream and try to bandage the area until you can get them to a vet.

What is the best way to care for a burn?

For a mild burn-you touched a hot pan, for example-the first thing to do is cool down the burned area. Run cool water over it, and maybe apply ice, but never put ice directly on the skin. If you do use ice, put it in a plastic bag, wrap a towel around the bag, and only use it for a minute or two at a time. You want to cool the skin, not freeze it. Cover the burn with gauze or a sterile bandage.

If the burn is more severe-there's a blister or broken skin-clean the area with soap and water, and then apply antibiotic cream and dress it with a sterile bandage. Don't break the blister; it provides a protective barrier and helps prevent infection.

What should a person do if there's a sprain or fracture?

For sprains, apply ice to help reduce swelling. You may want to alternate between ice and heat. If you think you have a broken bone and you cannot get medical help right away, splint the limb to immobilize it. You can splint a leg with household items such as a broom and mop. Place one on either side of the leg to help immobilize it and use medical tape to secure the splints. To splint an arm or wrist, consider using a book on either side of the arm, and use a kitchen towel or even a sock to hold the limb in place. Remember, improvisation is key.

Is there anything else to remember when it comes to emergency planning or at-home care for injuries?

Two things: Take a basic first-aid or a Stop the Bleedclass. Most communities offer them. Also, remember to give yourself grace. My career is in trauma and emergency medicine, and even still, as my family prepared to evacuate last week, it was a tense time and a little chaotic. I had to remind myself of the importance of grace.

For the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom team's complete coverage of the Los Angeles County wildfires, please click here.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Mental Emergency Toolkit | Strategies to Try When Panic Takes Hold

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