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Accidents and illnesses happen. Being ready for sniffles, scrapes, cuts and sickness before they occur makes them easier to deal with when they inevitably do pop up. Here’s how to handle some of the most common situations you might encounter at home.

Cuts and scratches

After applying pressure to stop any bleeding, skinned knees and minor cuts merit a quick wash with antibacterial soap and water. Dry the skin and apply an antiseptic or antibiotic cream/ointment to prevent infection, then cover the wound with a clean bandage. If the cut looks deep or won’t stop bleeding, continue to apply pressure and seek immediate medical attention.

Bruises

Bruises form when blood from small broken vessels collects beneath the skin following injury. Elevate the area if possible and apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables) to reduce swelling and slow the bleeding. After 24 to 48 hours, heat applied several times a day can increase blood flow to help the bruise heal more quickly.

Burns

Run cool water over the burn for a few minutes. Apply a topical burn spray, ointment or aloe vera to reduce discomfort, and drink extra water to keep the skin hydrated as it heals. Deep, extensive or especially painful burns should always be evaluated by a medical professional.

Aches, pains and strains

If you’ve overdone it during a workout or wake up with a headache, an over-the-counter pain reliever (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) is your first line of defense. Call your doctor if that doesn’t do the trick, if you can’t put any weight on the injury, or if the pain comes on suddenly and seems severe.

Colds, coughs and sore throats

Even the healthiest among us are still susceptible to the germs that can cause sneezes, sniffles and sore throats. In many cases, there’s not much to do but stock up on tissues and rest while pesky viral coughs and colds run their course. Medicine off the shelf of your local drugstore may help to lessen the severity of specific symptoms. If you’re still sick after a week, or struggling with an extremely sore throat, you may need to see your doctor.

Fever

When your temperature is rising, the first instinct is usually to get it back down to normal as quickly as you can. However, generally healthy people (and even children) probably don’t need to worry too much about a low-grade fever (typically between 99.5 degrees and 100.3 degrees). Simply rest and drink extra fluids to keep hydrated. For higher temperatures and fevers that linger more than a day or two, you may want to take some over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen. However, any sudden high temperature spikes, extreme discomfort, lethargy or difficulty breathing merit a trip to the doctor.

Upset stomachs

Three words that strike immediate fear into the hearts of parents: “My tummy hurts.� Whether you’ve encountered a nasty bug or simply eaten something that didn't agree with you, an upset stomach is no fun to contend with. Fortunately, the most unpleasant symptoms tend to pass within a day or two and don’t require much intervention apart from perhaps an antacid or anti-diarrheal. Stay hydrated with electrolytes and stick to a bland BRAT (banana, rice, apple, toast) diet for a day or two as things get back to normal.