A well-stocked first-aid kit can be a great resource for your home or when traveling. With the right ingredients, you’ll be prepared to handle the bumps, bruises, scrapes and stings of childhood.
The Emergency Center at Texas Children’s recommends that families keep a first-aid kit at home, in each car, and while hiking or camping.
Remember to check the first-aid kit regularly to see if you need to restock any items, especially the frequently used ones like bandages and antibiotic creams, and to make sure nothing has gone out-of-date. If going on vacation, be sure to add extra prescription medicines in the first-aid kit.
Prepackaged first aid kits are available in many stores, or you may build your own kit. The kit should be stored out of reach of children, but be easily accessible to adults. The following supplies are recommended:
- Adhesives bandages (such as Band-Aids®)
- Regular and non-stick sterile gauze pads
- ½-inch, 1-inch and 2-inch rolls of adhesive tape
- Sterile strips (for closing small cuts)
- Elastic bandage (for sprained ankle)
- Triangular bandage (for sprained ankle, arm injuries or to use as a tourniquet)
- Bar of soap
- Alcohol (rubbing or 70 percent isopropyl)
- Cotton-tip applicators and cotton balls
- Disposable gloves (two pairs)
- Oral thermometer
- Small scissors
- Tweezers (for removing slivers or ticks)
- Sewing needles (for removing splinters)
- Matches (to sterilize needles)
- Cold pack or “instant ice”
- Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol®, etc.) for fever and pain
- Antiseptic cream or ointment (such as Neosporin®)
- Calamine lotion
- ½ percent hydrocortisone cream
- Antihistamines (Benadryl® tablets or liquid)
- Meat tenderizer powder (for man-of-war and insect stings)
- First-aid manual
- Important telephone numbers
