Summer First Aid Tips

Walking home last night, I witnessed a variety of Independence Day near-mishaps, as cars drove past twinkling buckets of fire, children made their first explosions, and hardcore fireworks dudes lit up the night. The National Safety Council declares Independence Day the most dangerous holiday, so I figured I'd share some first aid links to help you cope with this summer's injuries.

First up: 10 Useless or Even Dangerous First Aid Myths reports on what not to do to treat a snakebite, jellyfish sting, or shin splints. Next, the Mayo Clinic gives you first aid info for burns, likely to be a popular link as Americans use up their leftover stores of fireworks in the coming weeks. The University of Maine brings us First Aid for Bee and Insect Stings, also a summer favorite. If you're getting crafty with the table saw, consult first aid for an accidentally amputated finger. (You may also need How to Stop Mild Bleeding During First Aid or the page on severe bleeding.)

But not all injuries are traumatic incidents in the field. I could have used this a few years ago after an impromptu walking tour of Los Angeles: first aid for blisters (again from the Mayo Clinic). To improve your finger health, here's a video on how to treat a hangnail. Here are five steps to stop a nosebleed (see also the slightly amazing Nosebleed Center). For the clean-shaven among us: How to Remove an Ingrown Hair (also: How to Prevent Razor Burn).

So, did you sustain any injuries on the Fourth? Did you immediately consult Google, as I do? Okay, we're all on the same page here.