There is never a good time to get sick or injured, and if you have children, then you know that they somehow have the innate ability to get hurt at the worst possible moment. Often the difference between being “lucky” or not is being prepared.
One of the best things you can do help yourself be “lucky” is have a first aid kit. If you have a kit take a look at it. Have all the items been used and all that’s left are a couple Band-Aids? Is the kit from your grand father’s experience in World War II? Or may be you’ve never got around to putting a kit together?
Well, here are some helpful ideas that could be potentially lifesaving. First, the supplies should be kept in a convenient place in your home, and all family members old enough to use them should know where they are. Remember to try and keep those items in a separate box so they don’t get used for other purposes. In addition, some items in the first aid kit are potentially dangerous for children, so keeping the box locked or out of reach is also a good idea.
You might buy prepackaged first aid kits or to assemble your own from items that you probably already have on hand. Having a separate carrying case for them is a good thing. First they can be easily transported when needed in an emergency and second, if you only use the kit for emergencies, then you will know you have everything you need to deal with the situation.
Also, in this case, more is probably better, so here is a detailed list of items you might want to consider putting in your first aid kit.
* Thermometer
* Tweezers
* Hand cleanser/soap
* Scissors
* Safety pins
* Bulb syringe
* An accurate measuring device
* Adolph’s Meat Tenderizer
* Insect repellent
* Disposable latex gloves
* Disposable, instant ice bags
* Paper tissues or a roll of toilet paper
* A lightweight blanket
* Aloe vera gel
* Children’s and adult’s decongestant and antihistamine
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Rubbing alcohol
* Eye drops
* Lip balm
* Pepto Bismol (for upset stomachs, diarrhea)
* Antacid tablets
* Dramamine
* Acetaminophen (children’s and adult’s pain reliever)
* Antibiotic cream
* Laxative
* Sun block
* Syrup of Ipecac (to induce vomiting in case of poisoning and give only when directed by the Poison Control Center or the doctor)
* Activated charcoal to absorb poisons in the stomach (give only when directed by the Poison Control Center or the doctor)
* Petroleum jelly
* Prescription medicines, and their prescriptions
* First aid manual
* Change for a telephone call
* Adhesive bandage strips or surgical tape
* Butterfly bandages
* Elastic wraps: for the wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow
* Adhesive tape
* Sterile cotton balls, eye patches and gauze pads
* Adhesive and gauze wrapping in rolls
* Triangular bandage: for wrapping injuries and making a sling.
* Flashlight with extra batteries
* Penlight
* Identification card listing your name, address, phone number and the name and phone number of someone who can be contacted in an emergency
* Medical insurance card
* Telephone numbers for your doctors
* Paper and pencil
* Razor blade
* CPR Shield
* Paper cups
In addition, you should keep a first aid kit in your car and make sure to take one when traveling, especially if you are going to be outside (i.e. hiking, camping, etc.). A few minutes of preparation and a couple bucks invested in a kit is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Remember the life you may be saving could be your own.
