Even in the home, accidents happen. Sometimes it is something small, a scrape, a bang, sometimes it is something a bit more serious like a burn or deeper cut, sometimes it is more serious even than that. People of all ages can benefit from having a first aid bag in the home. Small children are especially likely to need various treatments as they are so accident-prone, but things happen to everyone. Fat might splatter and burn your arm, you might cut yourself when chopping vegetables, you might slip or trip on a rug, you might get stung by something that has flown into the home and so on. It is not something you can predict so it makes sense to be properly prepared with a first aid box or bag.

Inside a first aid kit

Inside a home first aid box should be a number of basic supplies to help with the different accidents that might happen, from minor to serious and include any specific personal needs your family might have. Bandages of different sizes and enough depending on how many people live there, gauze, scissors, antiseptic wipes and cream, plasters, gauze, first aid tape, tweezers, cold packs, antihistamines, painkillers, safety pins, antibiotic cream, hydrogen peroxide and decongestant are some examples. Other things you might add if recommended by a doctor or if there are allergies include syrup of ipecac, activated charcoal and an epipen.

Other things you should find or place in the kit are a detailed emergency contact list, phone numbers such as poison control, the family doctor, 911, and emergency contacts among relatives and friends. People who can help if there is a real emergency. It is a good place to keep a list of each person who lives there and what personal medical conditions they have and what medications they take. Allergies, chronic conditions and such. You might also want to make a list of what is in the first aid bag so that it is easy to keep stocked and track what things might need replacing when they are out of date. Cover this information in plastic so that should it get wet or should there be bodily fluids happening it can be wiped down and kept clean.

First aid containers

When you buy a first aid kit you can get it in several different types of containers and made from different materials. You might choose a tote bag or sports bag option to keep in the car, and more traditional first aid box to keep in the home. If you are making your own kit you can choose any container you prefer. Consider whether you can wipe it down though in case of spills and it makes sense to choose something that is waterproof.

Summary

It is a good idea when you are getting or making your kit to also make sure you store it in a way that anyone can reach it in an emergency, but that it is not so low down that very young children can get a hold of it. Consider further protecting your family by also taking a first aid course and learning certain useful things like the Heimlich maneuver and CPR.

Author's Bio: 

This Article Penned by Lora Davis.