What do you put in a First Aid Kit?

Emergencies can occur at any moment--you don’t want to be caught off guard! Whether it is a minor injury, a sudden illness, or an unexpected accident, you need to stay prepared. A First Aid kit gives you the tools you need to stay prepared for the small and big hazards that may come your way. Here are the things you need to have a well-equipped First Aid kit:

• Triangular bandage → sling or a large dressing for injuries

• Adhesive bandages or bandage strips → for minor injuries like cuts, burns, splinters, etc.

• Nitrile, or other non-latex gloves → prevent contamination (Hygiene is key!)

• Medical tape → for attaching bandages, gauze or dressing to the skin 

• Cold compress → for decreasing swelling, inflammation and or numbing pain 

• Scissors → for cutting gauze, bandages, clothing, etc. 

• Tweezers → for removing splinters 

• Gauze rolls → for guarding or cushioning a wound, absorbing fluid, or applying ointment 

• Alcohol pads → for cleaning the area around the wounds before bandaging 

• Antiseptic wipes → to clean a wound before bandages are applied

• Thermometer → for checking body temperature 

• Antibiotic ointment → for treating minor wounds like cuts, burns, etc. 

• Hydrocortisone cream (1%) → to treat itching, redness, swelling, etc.

• Acetaminophen → for relieving pain and reducing fever 

• Ibuprofen → for treating inflammation, swelling and pain 

The tools in a first aid kit can prevent a minor injury from turning into major injuries. It is important to make sure that there is a First Aid kit in places like your home and car. Stay safe and stay prepared! 

SOURCES CITED:

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“How Do I Apply a Bandage?” NHS Choices, NHS, 2023, www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/how-do-i-apply-a-bandage/#:~:text=Triangular%20bandages%20can%20be%20used,the%20arm%20while%20you%20work.Accessed 22 Jan. 2024.

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“Hydrocortisone Topical: Medlineplus Drug Information.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682793.html#:~:text=Hydrocortisone%20topical%20is%20used%20to,swelling%2C%20redness%2C%20and%20itching.Accessed 22 Jan. 2024.

“Antibiotic Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4376/antibiotic-topical/details. Accessed 22 Jan. 2024. 

“First-Aid Kit (for Parents) - Nemours Kidshealth.” Edited by Melanie L. Pitone, KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation, June 2022, kidshealth.org/en/parents/firstaid-kit.html.Accessed 22 Jan. 2024. 

“Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 Jan. 2024, www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ibuprofen-and-acetaminophen-oral-route/description/drg-20526898#:~:text=Ibuprofen%20is%20a%20nonsteroidal%20anti,taken%20for%20a%20long%20time. 

Written By: Shifa Shanofer