First Aid Supplies

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KEY POINTS

• First aid supplies for minor injuries or emergencies include medicines, bandages, and other items.
• You can buy a first aid kit at drug stores or the American Red Cross, or make one of your own.
• Store your first aid supplies in an area that is easy to get to in case of an emergency but is out of the reach of children.

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Having the right first aid supplies on hand make it easier to deal with minor injuries or emergencies. These supplies should include medicines, bandages, and other items. You can buy a first aid kit at drug stores or the American Red Cross, or make one of your own.

What medicines should I have on hand?

It is helpful to have the following medicines on hand:

• Pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen (make sure you include infant's or children's forms of these medicines if you have children)
• Antiseptic wipes
• Antihistamine, such as Benadryl
• Calamine lotion for stings or skin irritants
• Medicine to treat diarrhea
• Antibiotic ointment or cream
• Hydrocortisone cream, ointment, or lotion
• Decongestant medicine, such as Sudafed
• Petroleum jelly

What other items should I include in a kit or in the cabinet?

Other first aid supplies should include:

• Sterile 2-by-2 and 4-by-4-inch gauze pads, and a roll of gauze
• Various sizes of adhesive bandages
• An elastic bandage or wrap
• Cotton swabs
• Nonallergenic adhesive tape
• Scissors and tweezers
• A thermometer
• Safety pins
• A measuring spoon or syringe for children’s liquid medicines
• An oral rehydration solution (ORS), which is a drink that replaces liquids and minerals Liquid soap for cleaning wounds
• Disposable gloves (including latex-free gloves)
• Disposable instant cold packs
• Sling and splint material (for example, a popsicle stick can splint an injured finger, a stack of paper folded several times can splint an injured arm)
• Face (surgical-type) masks for short-term protection from smoke or particles
• First aid manual
• Emergency phone numbers
• Completed medical consent forms that allow children to get medical treatment when a parent is not available
• A list of allergies and medicines for each person living in your home, including emergency medicines for family members who might need them, such as an asthma inhaler, EpiPen, or heart medicine

It’s also good to make sure that you always have bottles of fresh water, blankets, a flashlight with extra batteries, and a radio powered by hand-cranking.

Where should I store the kit or supplies?

Store your first aid supplies in an area that is easy to get to in case of an emergency but is out of the reach of children. Try to always keep them in the same place so they are easy to find.

Check your supplies regularly. Replace any used items or items that are out of date.

Talk to your local Red Cross or American Heart Association about getting first aid and CPR training for your family. For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross or visit their Web site at http://www.redcross.org.