Your Household First Aid Kit
Photo courtesy of Medline Plus
A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment for use in giving first aid, particularly in a medical emergency. In any emergency you have to be ready with your first aid kit. Many injuries are not life threatening and do not require immediate medical attention. Knowing how to treat minor injuries can make a difference in an emergency. Consider taking a first aid class, but simply having the following things can help you stop bleeding, prevent infection and assist in decontamination.
A household first aid kit should include these items:
- Adhesive tape
- Anesthetic spray (Bactine) or lotion (Calamine, Campho-Phenique) - For itching rashes and insect bites
- 4″ x 4″ sterile gauze pads - For covering and cleaning wounds, as a soft eye patch
- 2″, 3″, and 4″ Ace bandages - For wrapping sprained or strained joints, for wrapping gauze on to wounds, for wrapping on splints
- Adhesive bandages (all sizes)
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - Oral antihistamine for allergic reactions, itching rashes. Avoid topical antihistamine creams because they may worsen the rash in some people.
- Exam gloves - For infection protection, and can be made into ice packs if filled with water and frozen
- Polysporin antibiotic cream - To apply to simple wounds
- Nonadhesive pads (Telfa) - For covering wounds and burns
- Pocket mask for CPR
- Resealable oven bag - As a container for contaminated articles, can become an ice pack
- Safety pins (large and small) - For splinter removal and for securing triangular bandage sling
- Scissors
- Triangular bandage - As a sling, towel, tourniquet
- Tweezers - For splinter or stinger or tick removal
Important reminders:
1. You have to get acquainted first with proper usage of the materials. Consider attending a first aid class to learn how to use them.
2. Sterile materials should be kept sterile.
