How to Stock a First Aid Kit

With summer approaching it is a great time to check the supplies in your first aid kit, or create one if you don’t already have one! You can purchase a first aid kit at most drugstores, a local Red Cross office, or you can make your own. The nice thing about making your own is that you can tailor it to suit the needs of you and your family. You should strive for a small and simple kit with multi-use items. Most first aid kits are meant to treat minor injuries such as cuts, burns, abrasions, stings, splinters, or sprains; but also take into consideration your personal level of medical training and your distance from professional medical help.

What you should include – The Basics:

• sterile gauze pads of different sizes
• adhesive bandages in several sizes
• antiseptic wipes
• antibiotic ointment
• hydrocortisone cream (1%)
• acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• tweezers
• sharp scissors
• tooth preservation kit
• plastic non-latex gloves (at least 2 pairs)

If you are making a first-aid kit for your car, it might also be a good idea to include items such as a blanket, a flashlight (and extra batteries), bottled water, and some granola bars or trail mix. These items can come in handy if you get stuck in your car during bad weather. Be sure to check the supplies often and replace anything that has expired.
Tips for making your own First-Aid kit:

• Choose containers that are durable, easy to carry, and simple to open.
• Plastic tackle boxes or craft storage boxes make great containers!
• Use plastic sandwich bags to compartmentalize and keep items separate.
• Make sure everyone in the family knows where the kit is kept; you may the one that needs help!
• Store home kits in the kitchen, as opposed to the bathroom where the humidity is higher and can shorten the shelf life of the items inside.
• Include an emergency contact sheet with names and phone numbers for personal physicians, as well as emergency services and poison control.

I’ve created a handy emergency contact list printable for you to include in your first aid kit. Just click the link below to download and print.

Click here to download.

What do you keep inside your family’s first aid kit?