If your answer to these questions is no the read on....
Firstly:
- Your first aid kit should be kept in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children
- Keep your first aid items in a waterproof container. Make sure it's large enough so you can arrange the contents in such a way that you can find what you need quickly. A plastic container with a close-fitting lid or a resealable plastic bag is ideal
- Label the first aid box so you can recognise it easily. The standard labelling for a first aid kit is a white cross on a green background
- Many people also keep a small first aid kit in their car for emergencies
A basic first aid kit should include:
- gloves – both non sterile (to protect you from infection) and sterile for treating someone with deep wounds or burns*
- 1 pair scissors – blunt end *
- A face shield to protect yourself when resuscitating someone*
*Stored in your box so that they can be accessed immediately and easily
- small, medium and large sterile gauze pads – can be used as dressings, as padding or swabs to clean around wounds
- plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes
- 1 packet of cotton wool – to be used as padding but never directly on a wound
- 2 calico triangular bandages – (ensure they are calico not a cheap version made of paper) these are some of the most useful things in your kit. Ideal, sterile, non-fluffy material to stop bleeding, can be used for slings and support bandages and far easier than a dressing to secure on head, knee and elbow wounds
- safety pins
- 1 pair sterile tweezers – for removing small splinters, that can easily be grasped and pulled out in the same direction that they went in (nothing else should ever be removed from a wound unless by a medical professional)
- sterile alcohol-free cleansing wipes to clean skin
- micropore/sticky tape to secure dressings and tape fingers and toes. Also useful for labelling things
- eye dressings, can be used as small dressings for babies and toddlers
Useful but not essential items might include:
- thermometer (preferably digital)
- burn gel or a burns dressing – to apply to a burn after cooling
- instant ice pack – at home you can use a bag of frozen peas – Ensure it is wrapped in a cloth as it can cause ice burns
- foil blanket – to keep the casualty warm, crucially important in helping to prevent them going into shock. They should ideally be insulated from the ground and have this wrapped round them to retain their body heat.
- steri strips - great to help close gaping wounds. Always get major or deep wounds swiftly seen by a medical professional
- skin rash cream, such as hydrocortisone or calendula
- cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings
- antiseptic cream
- painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen
- cough medicine
- antihistamine cream or tablets
- distilled water for cleaning wounds
- eye wash and eye bath
LifeFirst provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for medical advice. LifeFirst is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made, or actions taken based on this information. It is strongly advised that you attend a First Aid course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.