A personal first aid kit has everything you and your family will need in an emergency. While the contents of kits will vary, there are some basic guidelines to follow when you are building your personal first aid kit. These guidelines ensure that you have the essential items you will need to care for someone during an emergency.
Assembling Your Kit
Step 1
Choose a waterproof, easy-to-carry, durable, easy-to-open and roomy container for your first aid kit. The Nemours Foundation recommends using a tackle box or art container supply box.
Step 2
Gather basic first aid supplies, including adhesive bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, scissors, sterile bandage wraps, tweezers, thermometer, gloves, instant cold compress, antiseptic wipes and a CPR breathing barrier.
Step 3
Add medications to your first aid kit. Hydrocortisone cream, chewable aspirin, triple antibiotic ointment, anti-diarrhea medications, activated charcoal, children's acetaminophen (if you have children), syrup of ipecac and prescription medications. Put measuring spoons, cups or syringes into the kit to ensure proper dosing. You can consider adding allergy medications, nausea medications and antacids.
Step 4
Put a pencil and pad of paper in your first aid kit. These items can be used to record what treatments were performed, witness information in case of an accident and other information, such as vital signs (temperature readings, pulse or respirations).
Step 5
Remember to put a flashlight and batteries in your first aid kit. The Mayo Clinic recommends that you check the batteries at least every three months.
Step 6
Keep essential items in your first aid kit. Include a spare set of car keys, cash, a credit or debit card, sunscreen, emergency phone numbers, cell phone chargers (car and home), first aid manual, candles and a warm blanket.
Tips and Warnings
- If you can't include prescription medications or other supplies in the first aid kit, tape a note to the outside to remind you to grab those items and where they are located.
Things You'll Need
- Container
- Adhesive bandages
- Gauze
- Adhesive tape
- Scissors
- Sterile bandage wraps
- Tweezers
- Thermometer
- Gloves
- Instant cold compress
- Antiseptic wipes
- CPR breathing barrier
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Chewable aspirin
- Triple antibiotic ointment
- Anti-diarrhea medications
- Activated charcoal
- Children's acetaminophen
- Syrup of ipecac
- Prescription medications
- Measuring spoons
- Cups
- Syringes
- Allergy medications
- Nausea medications
- Antacids
- Pencil
- Pad of paper
- Flashlight
- Batteries
- Set of car keys
- Cash
- Credit or debit card
- Sunscreen
- Emergency phone numbers
- Cell phone chargers
- First aid manual
- Candles
- Blanket
