Even the most careful households run into problems occasionally. Cuts, scrapes, burns, insect stings and other minor injuries are virtually unavoidable, especially if there are children in the house. While serious injuries require the immediate attention of a doctor or EMT, you can deal with smaller issues yourself. It helps to keep a well-stocked first-aid kit in an easily accessible place, as well as one in the car. Update it every few months to make sure no creams or medications have expired.
Basics
The first thing that probably comes to mind is individual adhesive bandages. Stock these in various sizes. Also include the kind of elastic cloth bandage that wraps an injury tightly, as well as gauze pads in different sizes and tape to hold them to the skin. Have disposable gloves, eye goggles, hand sanitizer and a basic first-aid manual for the person administering help. The Mayo Clinic recommends plastic bags to use when throwing away contaminated objects. Chemical packs that get cold when you hit them on something will come in handy to keep swelling down.
A first-aid kit also should contain cotton balls and cotton swabs, as well as antiseptic wipes. Keep an antibiotic ointment in the kit in case of cuts, and you can use a turkey baster or the like to fill with water or antiseptic solution to wash out a laceration. You never know when safety pins will come in handy, as well as scissors, tweezers and a needle. A thermometer will help you gauge the severity of an illness.
The Mayo Clinic also suggests petroleum jelly, a sterile wash for the eyes and a "Save-A-Tooth storage device." Harvard Medical School adds a protective device to use in case you have to give mouth-to-mouth.
Medications
To treat injuries and burns on the skin, a first-aid kit should include aloe vera gel, calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream. Syrup of ipecac will induce vomiting in case someone ingests something poisonous. Pills should include pain relievers, something to combat diarrhea and oral antihistamines. Try to keep extras of any medications that a family member regularly takes, as long as it doesn't need to be refrigerated, and if anyone suffers from allergies, you should have the prescribed medication, such as epinephrine, for that. If low blood sugar is a problem for a family member, keep four packets of sugar in the kit, sealed in a plastic zip bag.
Other
Paperwork isn't generally considered a first-aid item, but in case of an accident, it helps to have emergency contact information and family medical information handy. If you can spare a cell phone, keep one with the first-aid kit, along with a charger that you can plug into your car. Also stock a flashlight with extra batteries, and be sure to check it just as you do the medications, to make sure it is still working. Candles and matches will be invaluable if an issue arises in the cold, and a Mylar emergency blanket will help fend off cold as well as aid someone going into shock.
