A well-equipped first aid kit helps you handle minor cuts and scrapes, bee stings, burns and allergic reactions. Assembling a first aid kit for your home or car requires basic supplies and a container to keep everything together. A first aid kit needs to contain a variety of essential supplies. Keep it in an easily accessible location but out of the reach of children. Along with supplies to handle minor emergencies, taking a Red Cross first aid course or purchasing a first aid manual prepares you to manage medical situations.
Bandages and Wound Dressings
Bandages and dressings help control bleeding and protect open wounds from dirt and debris. Clean the wound with an antibacterial wound cleaner or mild soap and water before applying dressings. Include items in your first aid kit to handle scrapes and cuts.
25 different sizes of adhesive bandages to include small, medium and large that fit around knuckles and fingertips
5 3-by-3-inch sterile gauze pads
5 4-by-3-inch sterile gauze pads
2 sterile gauze rolls
2 adhesive tape rolls
2 eye pads or shields
1 ACE-style bandage to wrap sprained a wrist, ankle, elbow or knee.
2 triangular bandages for making slings or wrapping large wounds
Sterile cotton swabs and cotton balls
Equipment
2 to 4 pairs of non-latex gloves
Instant cold pack
4 to 6 fasteners for ACE bandages or safety pins
Bulb-style suction device to irrigate wounds with water
Aluminum splint to fit fingers
Medicine syringe or spoon with dosage markings
Thermometer
Tweezers for removing splinters, insect stingers and ticks
Scissors
CPR breathing barrier used when administering CPR rescue breathing
Blanket
Hand sanitizer
List of emergency numbers
Quick guide for first aid procedures
Medications for Injuries
Antibiotic ointment that contains the ingredients mupirocin or bacitracin such as Neosporin or Bactroban
Antiseptic wipes or solution such as hydrogen peroxide, povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine
Sterile eye solution for flushing chemicals or debris from the eyes
Hydrocortisone ointment or lotion to decrease itching caused by rashes or insect stings
Calamine lotion for poison ivy and insect stings
Additional Medications
Pain, fever and swelling relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil)
Aspirin for pain, fever or symptoms of a heart attack -- Do not give children under 18 aspirin because it is linked to Reye’s syndrome in children.
Decongestants for nasal congestion
Antihistamine such as Benadryl to treat allergic reactions and swelling
Anti-nausea, anti-diarrhea, and heartburn relief medications
Additional Information
Periodically check the supplies in your first aid kit. Look for expired medications and low supplies. If a person in your family has unique needs, such as needing an EpiPen for allergic reactions, include those supplies in your kit.