Be Prepared: Build Your Family First Aid Kit
Having a well-stocked first aid kit is essential for every home. Accidents can happen anywhere, including the home. A lot of parents try to keep Band-Aids in their bathroom cabinet, but can’t seem to locate them during a crucial moment.
It is important for families to always be prepared should emergencies strike. Being prepared to handle emergencies in your home means that you have the right supplies, and you have a basic knowledge on how to handle common minor injuries.
Here’s a useful checklist from Physicians Premier, your Saratoga emergency room in Corpus Christi, TX, that will help you assemble your family’s first aid kit.
Essential supplies:
- Sterile dressings/ gauze pads
- Antiseptic wipes/antiseptic solution
- Latex gloves
- Antibiotic ointment
- Heat/cold packs
- Eyewash solution
- Oral thermometer
- Tweezers
- Cleaning agents
- Adhesive cloth tape
- Absorbent compress dressings
- Burn ointment
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Band-Aids
- Compress dressings
- Hand sanitizer
- Bandage strips
- Petroleum jelly/other lubricant
- Gauze roll bandage
- Emergency first aid guide/manual
Medications
- Antacids
- Aspirin
- Pain relievers like Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Calamine lotion
- Aloe Vera gel
- Cough and cold medications
Misc. items
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Safety pins
- Cotton balls
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Phone numbers of physicians and your nearest emergency room
- A list of family drug allergies and conditions
The Red Cross provides a more detailed list for a family of four. You can access it here.
Commit as a family to put your first aid kit together. Don’t just be prepared. Consider this activity as a learning opportunity for your family, especially your kids. Keeping a first aid kit, instead of stashing your bathroom cabinet with random things, will surely come in handy.
You can view a lot of video tutorials on YouTube, but its best to go on a first aid crash course or refresher from the Red Cross. For parents, these classes may prove to be great experiences. They will allow you to feel empowered when dealing with minor mishaps and help you stay calm during more serious emergencies.
Keep your family safe and build your first aid kit to be ready for whatever life throws at you. As with any medical emergency situation, it is best to go to Physicians Premier, your Saratoga Emergency Room in Corpus Christi, TX.
Sources:
“Make a First Aid Kit.” American Red Cross, https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/anatomy-of-a-first-aid-kit.html.
“First-aid kits: Stock supplies that can save lives.” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-kits/basics/art-20056673.
Missio, Erik. “Here’s What You Need In Your Family’s First Aid Kit.” CBC Parents, 30 Aug. 2016, https://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/heres-what-you-need-in-your-familys-first-aid-kit.
