Dog Bites?
    Dogs have different instincts and dislikes, just like people do. Most dogs can sense a person is afraid of them or dislikes them. Practically all dogs are territorial, and feel the need to protect their masters’territory from strangers and also casual acquaintances.

    Most dog bites suffered by young children under the age of five are usually inflicted by their own dog or a friend’s dog. For older children and adults, the dog bites are usually inflicted by strangers’ dogs.

    Children are usually bitten on the face or neck, the part of the body that is within easy reach of the dog. For older children and adults, dog bites are usually on the back of the leg between the knee and the ankle. Dog bites can lead to permanent disfigurement, scarring and wound infection.

Safety Advice

    Do not approach a sleeping dog, even if it is your own.
    Do not approach a dog that is eating food or gnawing on a bone, as the dog may become possessive and attack you, thinking that you are going to take the food or bone away from it.
    When approached by a strange dog, stand still with arms by your sides until the dog moves away. If you are lying down or are knocked down by the dog, be still until the dog moves away. Never try to turn around and run away.
    Never kick at a dog because you will be giving him a target (your leg). You are better off just standing still.
    Leave stray dogs (and cats) alone.
    Always respect a dog’s territory.
    When choosing a dog, ensure you pick a correct breed for you, your children and circumstances.
    Regardless of size and breed, your dog should be sent for obedience training to help it socialise.
    Give your dog a safe and interesting environment to live in.
    Never assume a dog will not bite, even if it has not reacted in the past in any way to suggest that it will attack     you. Dogs, like humans have their bad days.
    If a dog belongs to a friend, make friends with it by talking to it in a friendly tone. Call it by its name, but do not attempt to pet him straight away.
    If you are trying to hand something to the dog owner while in his compound, do not thrust the object at the owner.  Move slowly as the dog may think you are assaulting its owner, and may adopt a protective attitude.
    Leashed dogs are not necessarily safe to approach. On the contrary, sometimes the fact that a dog is leashed may mean that the owner does not trust it to not bite strangers. Remember that that sometimes a dog can break away from its leash.

Treatment

    If the skin has been broken by a dog bite, the victim may require a tetanus injection. Seek medical advice to check if this is necessary. Topical application of antiseptic is usually sufficient.

Insect Bites / Stings
    Insect bites from wasps, hornets and bees result in differing reactions. Some stings are relatively minor, producing a needle prick sensation and slight swelling for a couple of days, whereas other stings may cause an immediate allergic reaction within 2-10 minutes such as coughing, facial swelling, wheezing, nausea and vomiting and hives. In other cases, some local swelling may occur 12 -24 hours after a sting.

Safety Advice

    Do not grow certain plants known to attract wasps, hornets or bees near children’s play areas.
    Have nests or hives removed as soon as you notice them.
    Do not move rapidly near bees and stand still if one lands on you.
    Open cans of fizzy drink tend to attract bees and wasps that may venture into the can, and can sting the lips and mouth.
    Keep garbage area clean and neat.

Treatment

    Bee Sting : The bee’s sting is barbed and cannot be removed by the bee when it has penetrated the skin. The venom is attached to the sting. Use a fingernail to scoop off the sting. Do not squeeze the sting as this may cause more venom to be injected into the skin. Apply soluble aspirin or disprin onto the swollen area to reduce the pain. Bathing the affected area and applying an ice pack to it helps. If a severe allergic reaction occurs, seek medical attention immediately.

    Wasp/Hornet Sting : Apply an icepack to the affected area for pain relief. Swelling and itchiness may take over a week to subside. If you see signs of an allergic reaction or the victim is known to be allergic, apply firm pressure over the sting site with your hand, and wrap the site with a crepe bandage (available from any pharmacy) to maintain pressure over the site. If the bite is on the arm or leg, wrap the entire limb (apply the bandage as tightly as you would for a sprained ankle but not so tight as to stop circulation). Seek medical attention immediately and do not remove the bandage until instructed to by the medical personnel.

    Other Bites/Stings : For any other bites and stings, apply ice for pain relief and seek medical attention for serious allergic reactions.