What Every First Aid Kit Should Include

Call it Murphy's Law. Call it simply living. Call it whatever you want. But the fact remains: accidents occur every day in our lives. Accidents at home most often involve falls, burns, choking, poisoning, and bee stings. That's why putting together a custom kit or purchasing a ready-made first aid kit for your home is so important. Or, you can purchase a ready-made kit and add specific items your family may need to it. If you have family members who are allergic to bee stings, for example, you'll want to keep an EPI-PEN on hand at all times. An EPI-PEN is a measured dose of Epinephrine. Epinephrine is the official emergency treatment for allergic reactions to things such as bee stings. The EPI-PEN is an injector that administers a premeasured dose. A severe allergic reaction, which is known in the medical world as "Anaphylaxis", can be fatal if it's not treated in a matter of minutes. So, as you can see, this is just one example of why you need a well-stocked first aid kit in your home.

If you start your kit from scratch, you'll first need a durable storage container. This container should be clean, easy to store and easy to carry. It should also have plenty of individual compartments inside so you can separate and organize its contents. A fishing tackle box would make a great first aid kit for your home.

Next, the following list of items should be included in your kit:

1. EPI-PEN
2. Antihistamine Pills- For the treatment of minor allergies, bug bites, etc.
3. BAND AIDS- Used to treat cuts, scrapes, and minor punctures in the skin.
4. ACE Bandage- Handy to have for minor joint sprains.
5. Gauze Pads
6. Roll of Gauze
7. Adhesive Gauze Tape- Gauze and adhesive tape are necessary for treating deeper skins wounds.
8. Butterfly Closures- Used to close deep cuts in the skin.
9. Small Pair of Scissors
10. Pair of Tweezers- Effective for removing splinters, slivers, etc.
11. Antiseptic Ointment such as NEOSPORIN
12. Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers such as TYLENOL, MOTRIN, or Aspirin
13. Rubbing Alcohol- Used for alleviating bruises and sterilization.
14. Burn Ointment- To relieve pain and hasten the healing process.
15. Sterile Cotton Balls- Used for cleaning wounds and applying treatments.
16. Disposable Latex Gloves
17. Hydrogen Peroxide- Disinfectant, Mouth Wash, etc.
18. Instant-activating Cold Packs- Great for reducing swelling and fever.
19. PEPTO BISMOL- A timeless remedy for nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and other digestive tract disorders.
20. Calamine Lotion- Used for minor skin rashes.
21. Syrup of Ipecac- This syrup is used in case of accidental poisonings. DO NOT
USE SYRUP OF IPECAC UNLESS YOU ARE DIRECTED TO DO SO BY A POISON CONTROL CENTER OR BY A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL.
22. Sewing Needle- Used to remove splinters, slivers, etc.
23. Small Flashlight- Handy for checking ears, nose, throats, and for administering first aid in dimly lit places.
24. Eye Wash Solution- Used for removing foreign objects or chemicals.
25. Complete List of Emergency Telephone Numbers- This list will include the names and phone numbers of your healthcare professionals, the regional poison control center, and the like.
26. First Aid Manual
27. Small Plastic Bags

You should also include in your first aid kit a comprehensive list of any allergies and other medical conditions that you and your family have. These may include bee sting allergies, food allergies, Asthma, heart conditions, etc. Beside each family member's name and their condition, include what types of prescription medication they take too.

Now that you have completed your first aid kit, you have successfully helped to protect yourself and your family. You are now prepared to effectively treat
cuts, burns, scrapes, strains, sprains, allergies, skin conditions, wounds, and a host of other ailments that can be caused by accidents in your home.

Just remember to keep the contents of your kit in their original containers. This way, you'll have the directions for each medication at hand. And, check your kit every six months to make sure its contents are fresh and are in useable condition. Dispose of any medications that have reached their expiration date and replace them with a fresh supply.