A well-stocked first-aid kit can help you respond effectively to common injuries and emergencies. Ideally, one kit should be in the home and one in the family car.
In addition to having a well-stocked kit, also ensure that emergency numbers — contact information for your family doctor and pediatrician, local emergency services and emergency road service providers, including local poison control — are readily available in the home.
Many accidents occur in the bathroom, so this may be the ideal place to keep your first-aid kit. Make certain everyone knows where the kit is located.
The University of Alabama’s Dr. Louanne Friend provides a list of items that are recommended for first-aid kits for the home:
- 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
- Aluminum finger splint
- Antiseptic towelettes
- Auto-injector of epinephrine, if prescribed by your doctor
- Butterfly wound closure, 3/8 inches by 1-13/16 inches
- Cold packs for sprains
- Conforming gauze roll, 2 inches
- Fabric bandages, 3/4 inches by 3 inches
- First aid cream, 0.9 gm.
- First aid tape, 1/2 inches by 5 yards
- First-aid manual
- Gauze dressing pads, 2 inches by 2 inches
- Hand sanitizer, 0.9 gm
- Plastic adhesive bandages, 3/4 inches by 3 inches
- Scissors
- Trauma pad, 5 inches by 9 inches
- Tweezers
* Personalized kits should contain enough prescription medication to last for one month
First-aid kits designed for cars include these essential items:
- Emergency blanket
- Emergency poncho
- Emergency radio with smart phone charger
- Rechargeable flashlight
- Safety flares
- Whistle
Friend is an assistant professor in UA’s Capstone College of Nursing.
