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| Definition | Be prepared for household injuries and emergencies. Having a well-stocked home first aid kit can help keep you safe.
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| Information | Consider having the following items in your home first aid kit. Bandages and dressings: Butterfly bandages. Adhesive bandages (such as Band-Aid brand or similar); assorted sizes. Adhesive tape such as rolled cloth, paper or silk (hypoallergenic), 1 inch x 10 yards (9.1 meters). Sterile gauze pads (packets of two to five), 3 x 3 or 4 x 4 inch. Sterile gauze (trauma) pads, packets of two to five 5 x 9 or 8 x 10 inch. Nonstick sterile bandages (Telfa or Metalline), assorted sizes. Rolled conforming gauze (C-wrap or Elastomull). Elastic bandage (Ace bandage) for wrapping wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries -- 2, 3, and 4 inch widths. Sterile cotton balls, eye patches, and gauze pads (4 x 4- and 2 x 2- inch pads). Molefoam 4 1/8 x 3 3/8 inch. Moleskin Plus 4 1/8 x 3 3/8 inch. Aquaphor moist nonadherent (petrolatum-impregnated) dressing -- 3 x 3 inch. Tegaderm transparent wound dressing. Tincture of benzoin -- bottle or swabsticks. Benzalkonium chloride 1:750 solution (Zephiran). Povidone iodine 10% solution (Betadine) -- bottle or swabsticks. Splinting and sling material: Cravat cloth (triangular bandage) for wrapping injuries and making an arm sling, 5 feet at the base and 3 feet on the other two sides. Elastic bandage (Ace bandage) for wrapping wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries -- 2, 3, and 4 inch widths. Aluminum finger splints. Equipment: Scissors with rounded or blunt-tipped edges. Tweezers, to remove ticks and small splinters. Safety razor. Latex surgical gloves -- if allergic to latex, use hypoallergenic non-latex synthetic gloves. Liquid soap. Sterile cotton-tipped swabs or applicators. Disposable, instant ice bags for icing injuries. Paper cups. Space blanket. Thermometer. CPR mouth barrier or pocket mask, such as a Microshield X-L Mouth Barrier. Paramedic or EMT shears (scissors) or bandage scissors. Rolled duct tape 3 inch x 1 yard (91 centimeters). Braided nylon cord 1/8 to 1/4-inch diameter, minimum 10 feet (3 meters) in length. Blue "baby bulb" or "turkey baster" suction device. Water bottle, such as Nalgene 1/2 to 1 liter. Oral Rehydration Salts or Cera Lyte 70 oral rehydration salts. Eye medications and dressings: Prepackaged individual sterile oval eye pads. Prepackaged eye bandages (Coverlet Eye Occlusor). Metal or plastic eye shield. Sterile eyewash, such as Collyrium 1 ounce (30 milliliters) or contact lens saline solution. Medication: Ipecac syrup to induce vomiting . Use only as directed by the Poison Control Center. Acetaminophen -- 325 milligram tablets. Buffered aspirin for headaches , fever , and pain 325 milligram tablets. (Avoid giving aspirin to young children -- use acetaminophen instead.) Ibuprofen 200 milligram tablets. Antacid. Loperamide (Imodium AD) 2 milligram caplets. Glutose (liquid glucose) paste tube. Allergy kit: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25 milligram capsules. Allergy kit with injectable epinephrine (EpiPen 0.3 milligrams; and EpiPen Jr. 0.15 milligrams). Topical skin preparations: Antiseptic solution, such as hydrogen peroxide or wipes, to clean a superficial wound . Antibiotic ointment, such as bacitracin, polysporin, or mupirocin, for cuts and scrapes. Calamine lotion for stings or exposure to poison ivy (follow instructions on label). Hydrocortisone cream, ointment, or lotion (0.5% to 1%). Insect repellent. Sunscreen lotion or cream. Lip balm. Aloe vera gel. Other: First-aid manual. Paper and pencil. Tissues. Soap. Safety pins. First-aid report form. Waterproof flashlight or headlamp and spare batteries. Change for a telephone call. Be sure to check your kit regularly, and replace any outdated or expired items. |
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