What Needs to Be in a First Aid Kit?
A first aid kid should contain supplies that can treat minor wounds fully as well as provide certain stopgaps for injuries that are more serious and need to be treated until the patient can reach a health care professional. First aid kits should be kept in both your home and in each vehicle you own. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Band-aids are probably what people pull out of their first aid kits the most. Make sure you have a variety of shapes and sizes and that they are good quality ones that will stay put when placed. Additionally, you should have gauze pads and bandage tape for injuries that are deeper or bigger than the average band-aid can protect.
-
2
Anti-bacterial ointment is a must for any first aid kit. You should also have on hand an antiseptic solution and cotton balls or pre-soaked individual towelettes. You will need these supplies when treating a rash or open wound to clean it and help prevent infection. Keep instant hand sanitizer in your kit for the convenience of whoever will be dressing a wound.
-
-
3
Include at least one bandage and several finger splints in case of breaks or sprains. Although these are injuries that should generally be treated by a medical professional, these supplies may help ease the patient's discomfort.
-
4
Keep a small pair or scissors for cutting gauze or bandages as well as a pair of tweezers and a needle handy in your first aid kit. Make sure these items are sterilized after each use.
-
5
Include age-appropriate ibuprofen or tylenol in child-proof containers. Additionally, if anyone in the household has something they may need immediately such as a epinephrine pen for a life-threatening allergic reaction or an inhaler for an asthma attack, they should be kept in a first aid kit as well. Add calamine lotion or an over the counter hydrocortisone as these are effective for basic insect bites or rashes.
-
6
Emergency contact numbers as well as doctor's names and relevant medical information should be kept with a first aid kit in case it is needed by a non-family member.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Include a First Aid manual if you are not sure how to handle a medical emergency. Review the manual from time to time so you are familiar with some of the techniques that may be needed.
