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The Essentials in Any Home First Aid Kit

Emergencies occur when we least expect it! That’s why every home, and especially those with kids, should have a first aid kit on hand for various bumps, bruises, scrapes, cuts, and burns. The good news is that it’s easy to assemble an inexpensive first aid kits all on your own using items purchased from a well-stocked drug store.

A household first aid kit should include these items:

1. Sterile Gauze Pads

Look to the 4- by 4-inch size for covering wounds and burns, or for using as eye patches

2. Adhesive Tape

For affixing various non-adhesive gauze pads, bandages, slings, etc.

3. Anesthetic Sprays

If you settle on Bactine, for rashes, and Calamine, for insect bites, you should be set.

4. Adhesive and Non-Adhesive Bandages

In various sizes for wrapping sprains, wounds, burns, etc.

5. Sterile Gloves

For bloody wound handling, infection protection, and in a pinch: for filling with water and ice to make emergency ice packs.

6. Oral Antihistamines

Think Benadryl for allergic reactions and Loratadine to soothe itchiness and rashes.

7. Safety Pins

For securing slings, wound dressing, and for removing nasty splinters when sterilized.

8. Antibiotic Cream

Think Polysporin for dressing non-serious surface wounds.

9. CPR Mask

To avoid spreading of illnesses and safe resuscitation.

10. Scissors

To help cut and dress wounds and apply slings.

11. Tweezers

To remove splinters, insect stings, leeches, lice, or ticks.

12. Sling Bandage

To use as a sling, towel, or tourniquet for breaks and sprains.


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