
What is first aid?
A first aid kit contains a range of supplies used to provide medical treatment. They are kept in places such as homes, schools, vehicles, and businesses.
The kits are designed with the first response in mind. They allow those in need to quickly be given medical assistance. They are mostly used for treating minor injuries like cuts, wounds and abrasions. However, they can also help with critical injury while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
Home:
The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following:
2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes),
1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
5 antiseptic wipe packets
2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
1 emergency blanket
1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
1 instant cold compress
2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
1 3 in. gauze roll (roller) bandage
1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
5 3 in. x 3 in. sterile gauze pads
5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
2 triangular bandages
Tweezers
Emergency First Aid guide
Car First Aid Kits: What Yours Should Include:
Medical Necessities:
Instant/chemical cold and hot packs
Disposable gloves
Plastic bags
Scissors
Tweezers
Cotton balls and Q-tips
Sterile eyewash
Thermometers
Soap
hand sanitizer
Over-the-Counter Medications:
(If you rely upon prescription medications that your life depends upon, consider adding a couple doses of these medicines to your first-aid kit in case you become stranded along the road and are not able to get home to take them as you normally would.)
- Aspirin and non-aspirin pain relievers
- Antidiarrheal medication to prevent dehydration
- Antihistamines and cold medication
- Calamine lotion
- Allergy medication
- A medicine cup
Standard Emergency Items:
(These are some of the most important emergency items to have with you at all times)
- Cell phone and charger
- Emergency contact numbers
- Waterproof flashlight and batteries
- Candles
- Blanket
- Flares
- Sunscreen
Additional Items for Kids and Pets
(some of the other items you should have in your car if you’re traveling with children or animals)
- Disposable diapers
- Kid-safe Insect repellant
- Pet muzzle
- Pet leash
- Vet emergency contact information
I also recommend taking a first aid course and make sure to include children and grandchildren. CPR is also a great thing to be certified in.