1st Aid Kit

Every home in America should have a least one first aid kit available for emergencies. There are many quality first aid kits available and can be purchased from many sources including drug stores, hardware stores, and mail order outlets. First aid kits may also be put together at home and usually isn’t difficult to do.

The first step should be to find a container to hold the supplies. A large fishing tackle box can hold the items when packed carefully. The next step is to clearly label the kit making it obvious what is inside. Make sure everyone has been informed on the location of the kit.

Buying the items in quantity can reduce the costs of purchasing the supplies. Ask a neighbor or friend if they would like to make a kit and maybe money can be saved.

Don’t forget to add supplies for any pets that you may have.

Supplies needed for the kit:
1. Thermometer-glass or the newer electronic kind (don’t forget the batteries)
2. Instant hot and cold compresses
3. Bandage scissors
4. Adhesive tape to secure bandages
5. Alcohol swabs or cotton swabs and a bottle of alcohol
6. Antibiotic ointment for wounds (ask your pharmacist for advice)
7. Cotton swabs or Q tips
8. Rolls or gauze or cling gauze bandages
9. Antibacterial soap
10. Peroxide
11. Razor blades
12. Rubber bulb ear syringe
13. Contact lens solution for rinsing eyes and wounds
14. Tweezers
15. Numbers for the closet emergency rooms, police, fire departments
16. Enteric coated aspirin (make sure the directions are followed on the bottle) for pain
17. Pepto Bismol for vomiting, gas, diarrhea
18. Benadryl for allergies and itching
19. Dramamine for nausea and motion sickness
20. Kaopectate or Imodium AD for diarrhea
21. Assorted sizes of adhesive bandages
22. Flashlight
23. Calamine lotion
24. Baking soda
25. Latex or vinyl gloves
26. Insulating blanket
27. Matches
28. Paper & pencil
29. Drinking cup
30. Safety pins
31. Salt
32. Ammonia inhalants

Special note, this list is only a suggestion for making your own kit. Obviously you can be creative and add your own items. It is very important to know how to use any medications that you add to your kit and always consult a medical professional before medicating anyone. If you already have your first aid kits, then give them a periodic check-up to replace missing or out-dated items, and be sure to keep an basic First-Aid book in your home, and be familiar with it's contents before an emergnecy. There are also good classes to take with the Red Cross on Ist Aid and CPR, you might wish to check on the availability of these classes in your area.