Why should landlords and tenants keep a first aid kit in rental homes?
Short Answer: When it comes to rental properties, landlords have a duty of care to provide a safe and habitable rental property. At the same time, tenants cannot usually rely on their landlord to take care of all aspects of their health and safety. As a result, both landlords and tenants must keep first aid kits in their rental homes.
To further emphasise the importance of first aid kits in rental properties, we will take a look at:
● The legal requirements for first aid in rental homes
● The must-have safety items for tenants and landlords
● Where to store first aid kits in rental properties, and
● How to educate tenants on emergency preparedness
Legal Requirements for First Aid in Rental Homes
In Australia, there are no rules or legal guidelines that call for first aid kits to be present in rental homes, as laws and regulations, such as the Safe Work Australia guidelines, focus on offices and workplaces.
However, in cases of tort, the presence or lack of a first aid kit in the property may be pointed out as evidence to support the argument that the landlord was in breach of his duty. If a landlord is found to be negligent with the support of such findings, they will be forced to pay compensation for the damages suffered by the claimant.
Must-Have Safety Items for Tenants and Landlords
Having access to a well-stocked first aid kit and other medical supplies is crucial to ensure the proper safety and well-being of the occupants of rental homes. As such, the must-have safety items for tenants and landlords are:
First aid kit supplies
● Adhesive bandages and tapes
● Sterile gauze
● Sterile non-adherent wound dressings
● Cotton swabs
● Antiseptic wipes
● Saline solution
● Burn ointments/hydrogel
● Instant cold packs
● Eye pads
● Disposable gloves
● Safety pins
● Tweezers
● Scissors
● Emergency first aid and CPR instructions
Advanced first aid supplies
● Triangular bandages
● Splints
● CPR mask/shield
● Haemostatic dressings/blood clotting agents
● Thermometer
● Emergency Blanket
● Over-the-counter medication (antibiotics, antihistamines, motion sickness medication, etc.)
Where to Store a First Aid Kit in a Rental Property?
The key thing to consider when storing your first aid kit, no matter where it may be, is protection and accessibility. First aid supplies have shelf lives, and they can shorten when they are exposed to heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. At the same time, individuals in the household must know where the kits are stored and be able to access them easily. Therefore, when you consider these two criteria along with where injuries are most likely to occur within a rental property, you have several options. They include:
● The kitchen area: Injuries such as cuts and burns must be immediately treated to reduce the pain and prevent further complications. You can store the first aid kit in a cupboard, away from the heat and humidity.
● The bathroom/laundry room: People tend to slip and fall in these parts of the household, causing injuries ranging from minor cuts and swelling to more serious fractures. However, if you are storing your kit in the bathroom, you must protect it from the humidity.
● Living rooms or common areas: This is a central location that is frequented by everyone in the household. In case of an emergency, anyone will know where to find the kit and administer first aid in record time. To enhance safety, keep it next to a fire extinguisher or emergency contact list.
● Bedrooms: Having smaller first aid kits in bedrooms can be extremely useful in households with young children and the elderly.
If a landlord is also maintaining a first aid kit for the building, the corridor or reception area (if the building has one) would be the ideal location to place the kit. To improve safety and access, the landlord can clearly mark them and inform the tenants of the kit's location so that tenants know exactly where to go in case of an emergency in the building.
How to Educate Tenants on Emergency Preparedness?
Landlords have a general duty to ensure that the rental property is up to date with all the health and safety guidelines, and as part of this duty, they must educate their tenants on what needs to be done during an emergency. As part of educating tenants on emergency preparedness, it would be in the best interest of the landlord to:
● Take new tenants on a tour of the building to help them familiarise themselves with its layout.
● Develop and distribute an emergency plan highlighting evacuation routes and emergency exits.
● Clearly state the responsibilities and restrictions imposed on tenants
● Provide a list of emergency contacts to every tenant (law enforcement, medical services, utility company, etc.).
● Host regular safety drills, briefings, and workshops.
Related Question
Q: What types of accidents happen most often in rental homes?
Some of the most common accidents in rental homes are cuts, bruises, minor burns, and slips and falls.
Conclusion
In rental properties, the safety of occupants should never be an afterthought, with both the landlord and tenants needing to take responsibility to ensure health and safety. If you are looking for durable, organised, and fully stocked first aid kits that allow you to calmly and effectively deal with any emergency in your rental property, then choose SURVIVAL. Our first aid kits come in all shapes and sizes and are among the best in Australia. When it comes to proper health and safety, SURVIVAL is the brand that comes to mind.