First Aid Kits - what every home should have (First Aid Kits in general)

Member Name: AJ26

Product:	First Aid Kits in general
Date:	17/02/08 (111 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Help deal with injuries, helps you be prepared

Disadvantages: Might cost a bit to set it up initially but it is worth it

Every person should have a first aid kit in their house and also in their car. What you keep in it depends on your family but there are some items which are universal in all cases. Your first aid kit should be kept in an easily accessible place, the last thing you want in an emergency is to be pulling out boxes from your cupboard trying to find it. If it does contain medication however it should be kept out of the reach of children. You should check it regularly to ensure any medication has not passed its best before date and also remember to restock items quickly after you have used them.

So what should it contain?

Firstly plasters, ideal for everyday cuts and grazes, they should be different sizes to deal with various injuries. If any of your family is allergic to elastoplast you should have an alternative type.

Two or three large sterile gauze dressings, these are ideal if you have any large wounds where a plaster would not be sufficient.

Triangular bandages the sort that you can use to make a sling if someone hurts their arm or to use to elevate a cut hand.

Crepe bandage, the sort you would use to bandage a sprained ankle or to use to hold a dressing in place.

Eye dressings, one for each eye incase of any chemical spilling into a persons eyes. These should be sterile and kept in a sterile packet.

Tape and safety pins both useful for attaching dressings or securing bandages in place.

Scissors for opening packets or cutting tape or dressings to size.

Gloves, ideally sterile ones for carrying out dressings or for protection against blood, usefully especially in a car first aid kit.

Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or other painkillers, ensure you have childrens versions if there are children in the house. Always check regularly that the best before dates are ok.

Thermometer, useful especially if you have children for checking for fevers. Digital thermometers are most accurate and safer, remember to check the battery regularly though.

Antiseptic cream, ideal for cuts, mild burns, bites and stings.

Cough medicine, ideally one for chesty coughs and one for tickly coughs.

Throat tablets - for the relief of sore throats


(This review is also published on Helium)

Summary: What a good first aid kit should contain