10 Things You Need in Your First Aid Kit

Your family’s safety is always your number one priority. No matter how much you do to make sure your family is safe, accidents are unforeseen and unavoidable. They happen when you least expect them to and you need to do everything you can to be prepared for them. Having a first aid kit in your home can make an accident seem like a minor thing. Knowing where your kit is, how to use everything inside of it, and knowing you are prepared gives you and your family peace of mind.

Your first aid kit should be located in your home, and in your car, away from a child’s reach but easily accessible by all adults. Everyone who comes into your home, family, friends, and babysitters, should know where your first aid kit is. You should frequently inspect your kit to make sure it is fully stocked and nothing is expired. If you need to purchase new items for your kit, you can check out the Surgical Supply Store, because they have everything you need for your family’s safety.

Here is a list of the top things you should keep in your first aid kit:

• List of Emergency Contact Numbers: If you are not home when an emergency happens, you need to know that whoever is home is prepared to deal with an emergency. You should keep a list of every emergency contact number you can think of.

• Bandages: One of the most common injuries to happen is that your child falls and gets a cut. You are likely to go through a lot of bandages, but it is always important to keep them in stock. You should stock your first aid kit with a wide selection of bandages to help under any situation.

• Digital Thermometer: One of the easiest ways to tell if your child is sick is to take their temperature. Having a digital thermometer ready to use and easily accessible can help you decide if you need to take your child to the emergency room or if you need to just wait it out.

• Alcohol Wipes: If something was to happen and you need to clean an infected area, alcohol wipes are the best and most efficient way to wipe away bacteria and sterilize an area.

• Hydrogen Peroxide: This comes in handy any time a child falls and gets a cut. Rather than just putting a bandaid on, you should first use hydrogen peroxide to kill any of the bacteria that could have gotten into the cut. This will help keep your child’s injury from getting worse.

• Non-Latex Gloves (2 pair or more): Even though you will most likely not mind touching your own child’s blood or other bodily fluids you need to remember that you may not be the only one using the kit. You should ensure that your kit is ready for anyone to use on anyone. If you have to help your child’s friend when they get hurt it is always safer to use gloves when handling any person’s blood or bodily fluid.

• Antibiotic Ointment: This cream can help keep an infected area clean and ensure that bacteria does not spread into your child’s blood. You should use it after the hydrogen peroxide is used and right before you put on the bandage.

• Gauze Pads: You never know what kind of injury can result from an accident but to be prepared for anything you should have a variety of different sized gauze pads in your first aid kit. If you have to stop blood, gauze pads are one of the most efficient and sterile ways to do this. You can apply them to any area to help stop blood loss.

• Flashlight with Batteries: An accident could happen anywhere at any time. If the power is out you need to have a working flashlight ready to use. It is critical that you check to make sure the flashlight is working and that the extra batteries are charged and ready to use.

• Blanket: A blanket can be used in a variety of different ways during an emergency. It is used to keep people warm, but can also be used to help carry someone. If your child or another person loses too much blood they may get very cold and need a blanket to keep them warm.