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Time to restock? Keep your first aid kit ready to go

| Safety | Healthy You

Young woman gives first aid to another woman sitting next to bicycle

It’s never too early to prepare. Consider restocking your first aid kit before you might need it.

Accidents happen. So do cuts, burns and insect stings. 

One way to prepare for the unexpected is by having a fully stocked and up-to-date first aid kit. 

Keeping supplies handy means helping yourself or others feel better faster when you’re hurt or sick. 

“Sometimes first aid is all you need. It could be a small cut that needs cleaning, ointment, and a small bandage,” says Jim Cole, an injury prevention and trauma coordinator at PeaceHealth in Springfield, Oregon. “At other times, first aid helps you get by until you arrive at an urgent care clinic or emergency room.”  

“You’ll be thankful to have supplies that meet the whole spectrum of needs,” says Cole. 

What to put in a first aid kit  

Here are some essentials to help meet many in-the-moment needs, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians

Medications  

These kinds of items expire. You might also use them up. Depending on how often you need them, you might buy a smaller size or one with the longest expiration date to keep on hand.  

  • Antacid such as Tums or Pepto Bismol. For upset stomach.
  • Antibiotic ointment. To disinfect and protect wounds from infection.
  • Antidiarrheal such as Imodium or Pepto Bismol. For diarrhea (loose or runny poop).
  • Allergy medications.  To counteract allergic reactions.  These include:
    • Antihistamines to relieve mild symptoms such as itching, hives, or runny nose.
    • Topical antihistamine creams for localized skin reactions like rashes or insect bites.
    • Epinephrine (EpiPen) in an emergency to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face and throat. (This is prescribed by a doctor. If you or a family member has serious allergies, you might carry this separate from a first aid kit.)
  • Aloe vera gel. To relieve minor sunburn, itching and dryness.
  • Calamine lotion. To relieve itch from insect bites, stings and poison ivy.
  • Cough and cold medications.
  • Decongestant tablets. For stuffiness or difficulty breathing.
  • Fever and pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin.  
  • Hydrocortisone cream. To relieve irritation from rashes.  
  • Opioid overdose medication. This rescue kit could save the life of someone who accidentally takes too much of an opioid (pain) medication. Ask your pharmacist for more information. 

“Medications for first aid are generally okay for most people, but always ask about known allergies before giving or using them,” says Cole. “If you have questions about any of these, ask your doctor or other caregiver for advice.” 

Supplies 

These items get used up or thrown away after you’ve used them. While most of these supplies don’t expire, they can become less effective over time. For example, adhesive bandages can lose their stickiness and wipes can dry out.  

  • Adhesive tape. To keep gauze in place over a wound.
  • Alcohol or antiseptic wipes. To disinfect wounds or clean hands.
  • Bandages of different sizes. To cover minor cuts and scrapes.
  • Butterfly bandages. To tape edges of minor cuts together.
  • Elastic wraps. To keep injured joints like wrists, ankles, knees and elbows from twisting.
  • Gauze in rolls or pads. To dress larger cuts and scrapes.  
  • Instant cold packs. For treating injuries and burns.
  • Latex-free gloves. To reduce the risk of infection when treating open wounds.
  • Moleskin. To prevent or treat blisters.
  • Petroleum jelly. To soften skin, protect against infection and hasten healing.
  • Triangular bandage. To wrap injuries and make an arm sling.
  • Tourniquet. To stop severe bleeding on a leg, arm, foot, hand or other extremity.  You can learn how to use this in a “Stop the Bleed” course online or at a site near you.

Tools 

These items don’t expire. Unless they’re broken or need new batteries, you can keep using these and not worry about updating them. 

  • Safety pins (large and small). To fasten splints and bandages.
  • Sharp scissors with rounded tips. To cut tape, gauze or clothes.
  • Syringe or dropper. To give oral medications.  
  • Thermometer. To identify a fever.
  • Tweezers. For removing small splinters, objects, bee stingers and ticks. 

Storage and other tips 

You’ll want to keep your supplies in a sturdy container.  It’s helpful to have it clearly marked. And it should be easy to take with you in a disaster. 

Here are a few other things you might keep in mind: 

  • Have enough supplies for everyone in your household. If your group is large, you might want more than one set — perhaps one for adults and one for kids.
  • Medications become less effective if they’re stored in hot conditions. It’s a good idea to stash your first aid kit in a cool and dry place out of the sun and heat.
  • Keep small items together by putting them in a clear plastic or vacuum-sealed bag. Then it’s easy to see what’s inside. And it protects them from dust or moisture.
  • Label and date all medications or items that expire. Learn where and how the FDA recommends disposing of old meds.
  • Keep a print-out of emergency contact phone numbers and addresses.
  • Print a copy of each family member’s allergies and medications.
  • Pack a small first aid manual or how-to tip card.
  • If you’re going to be in the great outdoors, think about additional wilderness health tips.
  • For road trips, see if your supplies will suit your journey or destination.  If you’re flying, consider travel-friendly sized items to help you breeze through security. 

As you build or refresh your first aid kit, brush up on your knowledge and skills. Consider signing up for a first aid class.  

Updating your supplies also gives you a chance to help your kids or other family members know how to use them. 

“You can never go wrong by preparing a first aid kit before you need it,” says Cole.  

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