Having a first aid kit at home is useful for handling minor accidents and injuries and can help you manage until medical help arrives if needed. It’s important to keep your first aid kit well-stocked, within date and in a cool, dry place.
1. Adhesive Dressings / Plasters - for covering small cuts and abrasions.
2. Sterile Gauze Pads - useful for cleaning and dressing larger wounds; they can absorb blood and help control bleeding.
3. Medical tape – for securing dressings in place.
4. Antiseptic Solution or Wipes - for cleaning wounds and preventing infection.
5. Tweezers, Scissors and Safety Pins – tweezers are always handy for removing splinters, foreign objects, or insect stingers from the skin;
6. Disposable Gloves - essential for protecting yourself and the injured person from cross-contamination and reducing the risk of infection.
7. Pain Relief - such as paracetamol / infant paracetamol, aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen for managing minor aches, pains, and fever.
8. Antihistamine cream or tablets - used to relieve symptoms of allergies, such as hay fever, hives, conjunctivitis and reactions to insect bites or stings.
9. Eye Wash & Eye Bath – for cleaning in the event of an eye injury or particles getting in the eye.
10. Creams - skin rash cream, such as hydrocortisone or calendula, cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings and general antiseptic cream are all useful to include.
11. Digital thermometer - to check body temperature and monitor for signs of fever.
12. Instant Cold Packs - can help reduce swelling and relieve pain of bumps and bruises.
13. Personalised Items - Consider adding items specific to your family's needs, such as allergy medications, an EpiPen or asthma inhalers.
14. First Aid Manual and Emergency Contact Information – an easy to follow basic first aid guide, providing instructions for common injuries and emergencies, will be useful for people not familiar with providing first aid.