Maintain a comprehensive first aid kit at your home, cottage, car, boat and workplace for use during emergencies until professional emergency services arrive. This will allow you to provide care until professional services can arrive on the scene.
Be sure to purchase items tailored specifically to the needs of your family, such as life-threatening allergy medication such as epinephrine autoinjectors for those affected.
1. Bandages
Bandages are one of the most essential first aid items, used to cover wounds and reduce bleeding while providing support for injured body parts. When shopping for one, be sure that it contains tightly-rolled cotton gauze in an uncontaminated packet.
Bring along a digital thermometer and disposable gloves. Additionally, include emergency contact numbers such as those for family doctor, pediatrician and hospital. Plus a poison control center as well as any necessary specialized medical contacts.
2. Adhesive Tape
the proper medical tape is crucial in keeping wound dressings secure and in place. Cloth tape adheres best when adhered directly to skin rather than directly attached to cloth bandages, and tears easily.
Use resealable plastic bags or pouches to help organize and separate items in your first aid kit, labeling each with its contents for easier organization. Also include a first aid manual as a point of reference.
3. Cold Packs
Cold packs provide temporary relief of minor bumps, bruises and sprains. They may also be used as heat packs to ease menstrual cramps or provide warmth during shock situations.
Make sure to have first aid kits available in every part of your life: home, work and car. Check them regularly and replace any expired items with fresh ones. Also keep on hand an AM/FM radio that runs off batteries or crank power and an adequate supply of tinfoil blankets in case evacuation becomes necessary.
4. Antiseptic Wipes
antiseptic wipes are an indispensable resource to quickly disinfect cuts and wounds on yourself or others. These large towelettes contain benzalkonium chloride to kill germs while cleaning effectively.
Liquid antiseptic is easy to store, yet eliminates cross-contamination risk compared to disposable gloves. They should also help shield both you and any injured parties from infections or contaminants.
5. Eye Pads
Eye pads are an invaluable component of an emergency first aid kit. As sterile wound dressings, they protect and absorb any further eye trauma as well as drainage from injury to your eyes.
Before applying, it is best to wash hands and position the patient comfortably with their head supported. Place a diagonal pad over each closed eyelid, taping it firmly but gently against their forehead and cheek.
6. Antibiotic Ointment
Antibiotic ointments should be included in every first aid kit as they help eliminate bacteria from wounds directly, thus preventing infection and expediting healing time.
At-the-ready medications may include pain relievers and fever reducers, allergy medication and remedies for diarrhea treatment. When selecting these OTC remedies for inclusion in your emergency kit, make sure that it fits in with the needs of your family.
7. Tweezers
Tweezers may seem like an afterthought since they’re usually associated with plucking eyebrows and deboning fish, but these small tools are essential in emergency first aid situations. Tweezers can remove foreign objects such as splinters, bee stingers and fish hooks from the skin in an instant!
Our medical-grade tweezers are built for everyday use and come complete with a protective case, making them suitable for storage in any home or first aid kit.
8. Gloves
Gloves are an indispensable addition to any first aid kit. Not only can they act as an effective barrier against germs and bloodborne pathogens, but they can also help control bleeding and swelling.
Locate nitrile (or vinyl for those allergic to latex) gloves rated for contact with bodily fluids and faeces, and follow proper procedures for taking off and disposing of your gloves safely.
9. Aspirin
If someone experiences unexplained chest pain, chewing an adult-strength aspirin may help prevent a heart attack. However, be wary if allergic to aspirin or taking blood thinners as this could also help.
Medication should always be included in first aid kits, but you should first consider who will use the kit before adding any drugs. Also avoid multi-dose packages since their expiration dates could differ significantly.
10. First Aid Book
An emergency first aid book or manual should be an integral component of your emergency first aid kit, providing invaluable information about injuries, treatments options and other pertinent data.
Encourage family members to help maintain and stock the first aid kit by replenishing supplies, familiarizing themselves with its contents, and building competency and confidence in doing so. Doing this builds competence while increasing confidence.
Regularly check expiration dates on medications and ointments and discard or replace any that have passed their prime.
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