First aid kit

It is very important to have a first aid box at home. If you are traveling or heading outdoor carry a first aid box with you.

It will help when kids go through any small accidents or fall.

First aid kit should be kept in a cool and dry place and should be out of reach for children.

Always have a first aid kit that is fully stocked with emergency items.

Checklist for First aid kit is below:

1. Sticking plasters – A box of assorted; sizes or a strip that can be cut to the correct size. Kids love various designs plasters available in many stores and pharmacies. Fabric bandages are good.
2. Crepe bandages for bandaging wounds in awkward places such as elbows and to bind sprains
3. Sterile dressings in various sizes
4. Sterile cotton wool for cleaning cuts and grazes
5. Antiseptic wipes and cream for cuts and grazes
6. Blunt ended scissors for cutting bandages and dressings to size
7. Pain killers – keep mild pain killer that are suitable for children and adults (acetaminophen, paracetamol, ibuprofen)
8. Tweezers for removing insect stings and splinters
9. Antihistamine cream for treating insect bites and stings
10. Triangular bandage to make a sling
11. Safety pins to hold bandages or a sling in place
12. Sticky tape
13. Cough medicine
14. Skin rash cream – hydrocortisone or calendula
15. An eye wash and two sterile eye dressings
16. Distilled water for cleaning wounds
17. Hand sanitizer
18. Aloe vera gel
19. Antacid tablets
20. Loperamide tablets (for diarrhea)
21. Glucose and electoral powder
22. Antifungal foot powder
23. Thermometer
24. Magnifying glass
25. Small mirror
26. CPR mask
27. Ear buds
28. Medical waste bag
29. Head lamp/flash light
30. Sunscreen and lip balm
31. Antiseptic soap
32. Calamine lotion
33. Saline wound wash
34. Skin prep wipes
35. Asthma inhaler
36. If your kid is diabetic, then keep extra insulin pump infusion sets, batteries, pen needles, lancets and backup strips etc. NOT insulin as it needs refrigerator.
37. Keep a list of emergency phone numbers inside the box.

Care of First aid kit:

• If you have a first aid kit, once a while go through the items inside and check expiry date.
• Do not keep opened medicine inside the kit
• Do not expose the kit to high temperature
• Keep it out of reach from children and pets
• If you are storing medicines inside the kit, keep a note of which medicine for what
• Go through your first aid medicine kit once in two months and replace the items if necessary
• Have a water proof first aid kit

With young children and teens, you can always expect small wounds that happens because of accidents and falls. Keeping a well-stocked first aid kit helps and comes handy. It helps in initial care of any wounds, burns or minor scratches etc. before seeing a doctor. Don’t forget to carry a medicine kit with you when you are going on a road trip with your family.

References:

• http://oddsocksandlollipops.co.uk/
• www.rei.com
• http://www.beafunmum.com

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Image credit: https://www.needpix.com/photo/45123/first-aid-kit-kits-medical-patch-first-aid-red-cross-box-container-dressings-medicine-bag-gauze-bandages (Free for commercial use)