Emergency First Aid Kit Contents Checklist

How to build a well-stocked and useful First Aid Box Kit
Many people are not sure what should be in a Home First Aid Kit and wonder which would be the best one to buy. Whether you choose to get a readymade kit or make your own boxes, assembling a portable First Aid Kit is extremely important for all emergency responders and a useful emergency care addition to keep easily available at home, in the car, in the office and/or at your workplace first aid station. First Aid equipment and supplies are best kept in a clean, dry bag or storage box preferably made from durable and water resistant plastic. This makes the kits useful for travelling or vacation and a minimum of basic medical essentials should be part of your regular check list to avoid the contents reaching their expiration date.

Suggestions and necessities for Home First Aid Kits Contents and Supplies List

• Durable non-corrosive box, bag, case or pouch
• Emergency phone numbers & contact information
• Gloves and other protective barriers
• Large absorbent dressings in various sizes
• Sterile cotton and gauze pads in various sizes
• Triangular first aid bandage and roller bandages in various sizes
• Adhesive first aid bandages and adhesive tape
• Non adherent dry pads and dressings
• Cotton tipped swabs
• Scissors, needle and tweezers
• Safety pins
• Oral thermometer
• Splints and emergency blanket
• Hot packs & Cold packs
• Vinegar
• Disposable plastic bags
• Denatured alcohol
• Antibacterial soap and antiseptic solution
• Antibiotic ointment
• Hydrocortisone ointment
• Aspirin and nonaspirin painkillers
• Antihistamine tablets
• Sugar packets, candy or fruit juice
• Activated charcoal

How to Protect Yourself and Others
For maximum protection when attending an injured or ill patient, use gloves or other protective barriers. Use ventilation masks or mouth shields especially when providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). When assisting someone who is bleeding, use eye and/or face shields or sunglasses if no other protection is available. Emergency responders should always thoroughly wash their hands with antibacterial soap and water including any other area that's been exposed to body fluids. It's recommended to scrub vigorously creating lots of lather using cleansing liquids if water is unavailable.

General Care for Stocked First Aid Boxes and Medical Kits
It's a good idea to read the first aid manual to become familiar with the kit's contents. Regularly check to make sure that torch batteries work, refills are attended to and replace any missing or out of date medicines. Store the First Aid Kit for home in a place that's easy to find for adults but out of reach for small children. Remember that some of the items may be restricted by flight regulations and may not be permitted inside hand luggage. So if you're flying it's best to pack first aid kits into any checked in luggage.

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