How to make your medical first-aid kit to keep at home

Every home (and vehicle too!) should have a well-stocked first-aid kit that can help you respond effectively to common injuries and emergencies. First aid kit can help to respond to minor and some serious medical emergencies. In case of a medical emergency, always call your local emergency number. However, you can protect your family and reduce the risk of injuries and severity of illnesses by being prepared, and that includes developing and maintaining a home first aid kit.

Store your kits someplace easy to get access to, but at the same time out of the reach of young children. Yet, ideally, older children should have been introduced to the kits and understand the purpose of them and know where they are stored.

You can buy first-aid kits at several stores or you may want to tailor your kit based on your needs. Following you will find some guidance for creating your own on equipment for emergencies:

For the kit itself, you might use a waterproof, plastic container that can hold all the items. You may pick a transparent repository, so its content is more visible or choose a special color and/or lettering on the outside that will remember you its purpose.

Family members should know where to find the kit and how to use each item. 

Check expiration dates of all items and medications at least every six months and replace them accordingly.

Certain conditions like a life-threatening allergy, asthma ou epilepsy can surprise you suddenly, even at home. Make sure to keep always a specific back-up medication for those emergencies. 

Some remedies for the most common symptoms should make part of your kit, such as:

• analgesics;

• antipyretic (preferably more than one, with different active principles);

• muscle relaxant;

• antacid;

• antidiarrheal

• laxante;

• Hydrocortisone Cream

Other important items for your kit are bandages and other injury/wound Care supplies:

• Bandages of Assorted Sizes. To cover minor cuts and scrapes.

• Bandage Closures / “Butterfly Bandages” (one-fourth and one-inch sizes). To tape cut edges of minor cuts together.

• Triangular Bandage. To wrap injuries and make an arm sling.

• Elastic Wraps. To wrap wrist, ankle, knee and elbow injuries.

• Gauze in Rolls and Two-Inch and Four-Inch Pads. To dress larger cuts and scrapes. 

• Adhesive Tape. To keep gauze in place. 

• Sharp Scissors with Rounded Tips. To cut tape, gauze or clothes.

• Safety Pins. To fasten splints and bandages.

• Antiseptic Wipes. To disinfect wounds or clean hands.

• Antibiotic Ointment. To disinfect and protect wounds from infection. 

• Disposable, Instant-Activating Cold Packs. For treating injuries and burns.

• Tweezers. For removing small splinters, foreign objects, bee stingers and ticks from the skin (see first aid manual for proper removal of ticks). 

• Hydrogen Peroxide. To disinfect and clean wounds. 

Other first-aid kit supplies 

• Thermometer. To take temperatures. For babies under age 1, use a rectal thermometer. Do not use a mercury-based thermometer.

• Latex-Free Gloves. To protect hands and reduce risk of infection when treating open wounds.

If you have never taken a formal first aid class, maybe now it is time. First aid classes are designed to give students the tools to save lives. Most first aid classes take less than a day to complete. Community colleges, fire departments, ambulance services, and hospitals all often provide first aid training to the public. Several non-profit organizations provide first aid and CPR training. 

Other health tips and useful advice by MD Thordis Berger, here.