What are some things to consider regarding first aid?
While your church may not be fully occupied at the moment, an emergency or injury can happen to anyone at any time. A child could trip and scrape their knee on the pavement while playing with friends, an elderly parishioner may fall out of their chair, or a staff member could suffer a sudden heart attack. As churches begin to reopen, it's important to make sure that your staff is well-trained and properly equipped to handle most emergencies that could occur at your church, not only to save lives but to also help reduce any potential liability that your church may have.
Before anyone requires first aid, an easy way to protect your congregation and staff is to make sure your church has liability insurance. Slips, trips, falls and other minor injuries can turn into major hassles with the wrong insurance or not enough coverage. When is the last time you reviewed your policies?
First aid training
It’s important that you not only have first aid kits available on your property and in your church vehicles but that you also train your staff on the right way to use these potentially lifesaving tools. Be sure to send various members – if not all – of your staff to first aid and CPR training. Once your staff is trained and comfortable administering first aid, it may be a good idea to require at least one first aid/CPR trained staff member to attend all events and outings that your church holds. Even during COVID, CPR may be needed to save a life, so the American Red Cross has provided some guidance on how to perform CPR while reducing the risk of spreading the virus. You can read about that here.
Not sure where to look for first aid training?
What should I include in my first aid kit?
Your staff members can have all the training in the world, but it’s useless if they don’t have the tools needed to do their job. Having a first aid kit is vital to the safety of the staff and visitors in your buildings and vehicles. It’s often easier to purchase a preassembled first aid kit that you can find online or in-store, but you may also choose to assemble your own first aid kit instead.
Regardless of whether you purchase a first aid kid or create one yourself, there are several basic supplies that are generally recommended to include in your kit (but always consider specific hazards for your church that may require additional items). Make sure that you have the following items to help ensure you’re prepared for most common emergencies:
Adhesive tape
Antibiotic ointment
Anti-itch treatment
Antihistamine
Aspirin
Bandages (various sizes and uses)
Blanket
Burn ointment
CPR mask
Cold packs
Cotton balls and swabs
Disposable gloves (preferably latex free)
Duct tape
Elastic wraps
Eyewash solution
First aid manual
Gauze pads / rolls
Hand sanitizer
Hydrogen peroxide
Masks
Pain relievers (various)
Petroleum jelly
Safety pins
Scissors
Splint
Thermometer
Triangular bandages
Tweezers
Questions?
When you are covered by UMIP, we will be there when you need us. Churches have unique needs. As a part of the denomination, we understand the unique needs of United Methodist churches and their operations, which is reflected in our coverage options. Your ministry deserves outstanding insurance and UMIP works for you each day to help protect your church’s people, property, and finances.
Let's talk! Contact us at 484-654-3380 or at UMI@sovinsurance.com.
This content has been prepared by United Methodist Insurance Company (UMI) for informational purposes only. No article or document may accurately contemplate all possible scenarios or church resources. As such, this information is meant to foster discussion by the individual church and its members to develop a plan tailored to its own circumstances. UMI is providing this information with no warranties or guarantees of any kind and it should not be viewed as legal, financial, or other professional advice. All liability is expressly disclaimed. Any claim examples described herein are general in nature, may or may not be based on actual claims, and are for informational purposes only. Any coverage available for a claim is determined from the facts and circumstances of the claim as well as the terms and conditions of any applicable policy, including any exclusions or deductibles. In the event of a conflict with the content herein, the terms and conditions of any issued policy will control. Individual coverage may vary and may not be available in all states.
The commercial insurance coverages for United Methodist Insurance are sold and serviced directly or indirectly by Sovereign Insurance Agency (CA Lic. No. 0B01380) ("Sovereign") and underwritten by various available insurance markets. Sovereign pays United Methodist Insurance a royalty for the use of its intellectual property.
Comments