How to Put Together a Portable First Aid Kit

Most of us have first aid kits in our homes and workplaces, but few of us have them readily available in our vehicles or in our bags--and it is better to be prepared and organized in case of minor injuries. You can find different types and sizes of first aid kits at your local drugstore, depending on your needs. It is recommended to have a full, complete kit in the home and mini portable kits in the car or in your bag, especially if you have young children around. This article will offer some tips on putting together a mini portable first aid kit.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bandages
• Cotton balls
• Gauze
• Antibacterial ointment
• Alcohol wipes
• Sanitary wipes
• Cotton pads

1. 
    
   Assorted Bandages

   Buy bulk packages of bandages of various sizes and shapes and fill the kit with a number of them, for example, adhesive bandages and butterfly bandages. Save the rest for future refills.

2. 
    
   Alcohol Wipes

   Add Alcohol prep pads to the kit. The alcohol will help cleanse the wound and decrease the risk of infection. You can buy packs of alcohol pads from most local drugstores.

3. 
    
   Sterile Wipe Assortment

   Include sterile soap wipes as a substitute for soap and water to sterilize your hands before touching a wound or injury. Sample-size sanitizer lotions should also be included. These items are all available at drugstores.

4. 
    
   Antiseptic Ointment and Wipes

   Add antiseptic or antibacterial lotion to complete your first aid kit. There are now antiseptic cleansing wipes available, so you can dispose of them immediately after use.

5. 
    
   Scissors

   Include a small pair of scissors with the kit. You never know when you will need to cut the bandage or gauze to cover the wound or injury.

6. 
    
   Cotton Assortment

   Add a few cotton pads or cotton balls to the kit. Also include some cotton tips or cotton buds to apply ointment or lotion to the wound to prevent contamination, which can result from touching the injury with unsterilized fingers.

Tips & Warnings

• Include a simple instructional leaflet showing step-by-step instructions on how to clean and treat a wound or injury.
• Keep all kits and medications away from infants and young children.
• Inform all family members, including teenagers, where the first aid kits are stored and how to use the items.
• Take CPR and first aid classes in your community. Most of them are free and might help you save a life.
• This article is not a substitute for seeking medical attention from your own medical doctor or health care provider.

Resources

• JewellTV
• Jewell Productions TV
• National Insitute of Health
• American Red Cross

[Yinping]

on 1/3/2009 Love this article it is professionally written and very helpful. keep it up.

[valenzuela]

on 1/2/2009 Very helpful, simple and to the point. It sounds very easy to good, and its so important. I rate it a 5!