What Every Home First Aid Kit Should Include

Finding a first aid kit to have available for your home or business should be at the top of everyone's list. Accidents & injuries can happen to anyone ,anywhere and at anytime. Selecting the right kit for you might seem difficult for some while others might decide to cobble together their own kit using anything from a shoe box to zip lock bags for a holding container. Whatever you decide to use for a container, selecting the right supplies for your needs can be a challenge.

Starting with a complete kit

The easiest way to get started is to purchase a complete kit ready to go stocked with all of the basics. There are hundreds of different kits to pick from and many of these pre-made kits can even be pretty specialized. Boat, car, camping, travel and home kits are various types that are pre-made.

The Basics

Bandages

You might know them as Band-Aid's. Adhesive Bandages are the brand name given by Johnson & Johnson. These come in a wide variety of materials, shapes and sizes. Cloth (elastic) is regarded as the all-around best choice. Fingertip, knuckle, spots, strips and patch bandages all have particular applications so we suggest that smaller kits have a variety pack. Generally speaking, the 1 X 3 strip type are used the most. If you have small children, there are also fun bandages with different themes that can help take the fear away.

Ointments

Neosporin is the brand name for antibiotic ointment. it is applied onto the site after the wound has been cleaned and just before you put the bandage on. It helps stop the growth of bacteria so the wound won't be as likely to get infected. The main ingredients are Polymyxin B Sulfate, Bacitracin Zinc and Neomycin Sulfate. If you use an ointment like Polysporin or a generic name like Bacitracin, don't worry, it is all good. Generally, an ointment with all three ingredients is most commonly used. By the way, 1 oz. tubes or individual single use packets are the most common packaging for ointments. Individual packets are preferred so germs are not shared between people!

Disinfectant Wipes

Alcohol, peroxide or benzalkonium are most commonly found in disinfectants and they are all available in a moist towellett package . These convenient wipes look like "wet naps" that you might be given after eating spare ribs but have ingredients to cleans the wound. Alcohol stings, peroxide fizzes and benzalkonium doesn't do either. Individual foil packed wipes are a handy item to keep in all first aid kits, especially when it comes to cleaning a wound.

Cold Packs

Sometimes ice isn't available. Instant cold packs are the next best thing so you can apply cold therapy to a swollen lip, smashed thumb or an area that has inflammation. They have a long shelf life and are easy to use. The liquid inside the cold pack is water. In the water is another plastic bag or tube containing ammonium-nitrate beads. When you firmly squeeze the cold pack, it breaks the tube so that the water mixes with the beads. This mixture creates an endothermic reaction -- it absorbs heat. The temperature of the solution falls to about 35 F for 10 to 15 minutes.

First aid Tape

White first aid tape is used to to hold gauze pads gauze rolls, cold packs or any other type of would care. It is generally waterproof and easy to use. There are several types of tape that can be used. Some use self sticking elastic bandages instead of tape. I like both.

Gauze Pads & Rolls

These are used to protect a wound and absorb blood weeping wound fluids. They come in a variety of sizes. If you are trying to keep your first aid kit simple, consider about 10 3 X 3 gauze pads and a couple of 3" gauze rolls. If you have a large "bloody" would that will need emergency attention, you can layer several gauze pads over the wound, take one of the gauze rolls and place it on top of the gauze pads (directly over the wound) and then hold it all together by using the left over gauze roll. You just created a Pressure Bandage!

Thermometer

If you don't like the idea of glass because it could break, you might want to consider some of the newer disposable thermometers available. They are easy to use and quick . Every first aid kit should have one of these. If the kit will be shared by others (outside your family), disposable thermometers are recommended.

Hand Sanitizers

Germs are the enemy. Keeping a good hand sanitizer in your first aid kit is a must. With the exception of home, most of the time there is no good place to wash/sanitize your hands before or after you have finish treating a wound. We like the individual packets of sanitizer because they won't leak all over the inside of your first aid kit.

Gloves

It is always good to keep the wound area clean. Protect the person you are helping. Gloves will also help protect you from their bodily fluids. They are available in latex, nitrile or vinyl.

Scissors

Scissors are great for trimming a piece of gauze or cutting tape. If you want some really cool scissors, consider a good all around pair of utility shears. They could come in handy if you need to cut away some clothing to get to the wound.

Medicines

Convenience items like antacids, cold & sinus medicines, pain relievers and other commonly used products are necessary to keep handy. When you are away from home, keeping these items in a first aid kit makes sense. Many of these items are available in handy single use packages.

You can do it!

These are just some basic ideas to help you get started. More ideas and resources can be found online. A great website that specializes in first aid kits and first aid refill supplies is FirstAidKitSource.com. Not only do they offer a big selection of pre-made kits, and refill supplies, but they also have a tool that allows you to create your own checklist. Making your own first aid kit isn't difficult. Buying a pre-made kit might just be the quick and easy route. Whatever you decide, something is better than nothing. Protect your family and get a first aid kit now.

Mike Brinker