A well-prepared summer first aid kit keeps your family having fun in the sun, on the beach, over hiking trails, or wherever you adventure.
Start with a store-bought pre-made kit already stocked with adhesive bandages, gauze, tape and small packets of antibiotic ointment; it is cost-effective.
Put that kit in a small comfortable backpack to take on trips. Hang it visibly in the closet as a reminder.
CAUTION: Do not leave it in your car in the summer. The heat can melt the plastic adhesives and deactivate the chemicals.?Look inside the premade kit for anything that could be missing.
Consider adding:
• 1% hydrocortisone ointment
• Calamine lotion
• Liquid bandage – A medical “nail polish” or spray that puts a waterproof seal on small cuts on the skin. This is great for trips involving sand and water.
• Water bottle – For irrigation of wounds.
• Electrolyte packs – Add this in your water bottle if you need more oral hydration than you brought.
• Epi Pen and albuterol inhaler – Bring this if someone has an underlying condition for anaphylaxis and asthma.
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen chew tabs – This can also be dosed for adults and is less heavy and bulky than carrying the liquid bottles.
• Bug spray with 30% DEET – This spray works against mosquitos and ticks.
• Ice packs – Purchase the packs that activate when twisted. This can help with acute sprains, sunburn, and over-heating.
• Oxymetazoline hcl nasal solution – Use intra-nasally to help nosebleeds.
• LED flashlight/headlight – Helps in the dark, but also if you need to remove ticks or splinters.
• Tweezers, scissors, magnifying glass, alcohol wipes – To help with the above.
• ACE wrap & finger splints
• Inexpensive plastic rain capes – These can keep you dry during summer storms, but can also be placed on the ground as a clean surface to work on an injury.
Plan ahead for good hydration during the summer. When exercising in hot conditions, drink 4- 8 oz of cold electrolytes or sports drinks every 15-20 min.
This means drinking 2-3 cups cold liquid every hour. Control condensation by having drinks partially frozen and in a zip-lock bag before placing them in your backpack.
Recent Stories
ARTfactory and Birmingham Green made headlines in Manassas this week. ARTfactory’s Rooftop Productions, now Actors Theatre, won seven awards at the 2024 DC Broadway World Awards, including Best Musical for Kinky Boots and Best Choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre also earned recognition, winning Best Theatre for Young Audiences for its production of The Wizard of Oz.
Meanwhile, Birmingham Green, ranked as Northern Virginia’s top nursing home by Newsweek Magazine, announced Duane Smith as its new Nursing Home Administrator, effective December 30, 2024. Smith brings extensive experience from senior living leadership roles across multiple states and holds several professional qualifications. Birmingham Green continues its 90-year mission of providing quality long-term care to Northern Virginians in need.
Looking for a new best friend? Meet Echo, a 3-4-month-old pup full of love, energy, and curiosity. This little guy, possibly a Boxer mix, is still finding his voice, but…
Should Virginia ditch the longstanding practice of electing the General Assembly and the governor in odd year elections?
The first odd year election in Virginia was in 1851, after a new state Constitution was approved and members of the House were elected to a two-year term. Before that, members of the House had one-year terms, and voters selected members every single year.
Now, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says modern day voters are sick and tired of voting every year.
A Manassas man was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for providing drugs and alcohol to a child in exchange for sex acts and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting the same victim as well as other children.
According to court documents, Olajide Benjamin Ayilaran, 24, met a 14-year-old girl during the summer of 2023 and began communicating with the victim via iMessage. In the messages, Ayilaran offered to provide the victim drugs, alcohol, and nicotine products in exchange for sex acts. Between at least Nov. 21, 2023, and Feb. 29, 2024, Ayilaran met the victim nine times, usually in the morning before the victim went to school, to exchange the products for sexual acts. Ayilaran would wait for the victim in his car in a nearby park. When the victim arrived, he gave her the drugs and alcohol and then had the victim perform sex acts on him in the car.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
