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First Aid Kits: What You Need To Have
By Matt Unangst, 25 Feb 14:05
A good first-aid kit can make a huge difference when responding to an injury or other medical emergency. You should have a well-stocked first-aid kit in both your home and in your car so that you can always be ready for a medical emergency. Keep the kits somewhere that they can easily be found by you when needed, but where small children cannot get at them.
Many drugstores sell first-aid kits. You can buy one of these kits, but you may need to supplement it in order to have everything needed.
We recommend keeping the following in any first-aid kit:
Basics
• adhesive tape
• antibiotic ointment
• antiseptic solution or antiseptic towelettes
• bandage strips of assorted sizes, i.e. band-aids
• instant cold packs
• cotton balls
• cotton-tipped swabs
• elastic wrap, i.e. Ace bandage
• eyewash, i.e. saline solution
• finger splints made of aluminum
• first-aid manual
• gauze pads of assorted sizes
• goggles
• roller gauze
• latex or synthetic gloves – at least two pairs
• a needle
• petroleum jelly or another lubricant
• plastic bags to throw things away
• safety pins of assorted sizes
• Save-a-Tooth storage device – contains salt solution and travel case
• scissors
• soap or hand sanitizer
• thermometer
• triangular bandage
• turkey baster to flush out wounds
• tweezers
Medications
• anti-diarrhea medication
• OTC oral antihistamine, i.e. Benadryl
• aspirin – children should not take aspirin
• calamine lotion
• activated charcoal – do not use unless instructed by poison control center
• drugs prescribed to you or your family for an allergic attack, i.e. EpiPen
• OTC hydrocortisone cream
• personal medications you or your family take regularly or for special cases
• non-aspirin pain relievers
• syringe, medicine cup, or spoon – whatever you need to take any special drugs
Emergency Items
• Mylar blanket
• candles and matches
• cell phone with car charger
• emergency phone numbers – include the numbers of your and your family’s doctors, local emergency services, emergency road service, and poison control center
• small waterproof flashlight with extra batteries
• sunscreen
You should check your first-aid kits every three months to make sure that everything is ready for an emergency. Replace the flashlight’s batteries if they no longer work and any supplies that have expired.
Take a first aid course to be ready for an emergency. Make sure that you will learn CPR and the use of an AED. If you have already been CPR certified, get it renewed every two years.
Children should be prepared for a medical emergency, but in a way that is appropriate for their age level. Check out the American Red Cross’ services, which include classes for children on emergencies and first aid.
Tags: first aid, first-aid kits