Must-Haves in Your Family First Aid Kit

It took a global health crisis for us to pay more attention to our healthcare systems and how we approach our well-being (whether that’s for our physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and psychological health). Hospitals and medical facilities have been overwhelmed with many patients not only from coronavirus but also patients with other medical needs, and they might not be available to get immediate medical attention for your needs.

When someone in your family is sick or injured that needs urgent medical assistance, having a handy family first-aid kit at home can help you prepare for unforeseen scenarios and potentially save your family from dire emergency situations.

Having a family first aid kit you can store at home is essential. You can either buy available first aid kits in stores or you can create your own. In case you want to create your own, here are some must-haves in your family first aid kit.

Accidents and injuries can happen at home and it’s necessary to have your family first aid kit on standby.

Small children and toddlers are more prone to injuries and accidents. They could stumble and fall, have cuts and bruises, because that’s what kids do when they play around. Kids love playing, and that being said, it’s important to anticipate these things. Having a family first aid kit with bandages and ointments is essential.

Getting first-aid treatment when you get minor cuts and abrasions will save you a trip to the hospital and fees as well.

A well-stocked first aid kit can improve how you effectively respond to common injuries and emergencies. Stock up your first aid kit with essential items and must-haves, store them in your cupboard or a place where it is out of reach of children, but still accessible in case of emergency.

It is helpful if you have an emergency kit at home and another in your car for good measure. You can buy first aid kits at grocery stores and drugstores near you or you can build your own. Here are must-have items that you should include in your family first aid kit.

Adhesive bandages
Latex-free disposable gloves to protect you from bodily fluids or other matter (latex-free material prevents potential allergic reactions)
Tweezers and Clinical scissors
Digital thermometer
Triple antibiotic ointment
Antiseptic wipes
First aid instructions
Cotton balls and cotton-tipped swabs
Medical face mask
Syringe
Instant Cold Packs
Hand Sanitizers
Non-stick sterile bandages and roller gauze
Hydrogen peroxide or iodine solution

Having a supply of alcohol (soap, and other forms of sanitizers) and medical-grade face masks are essential in the era of the pandemic. You also need to constantly monitor your body temperature (since high fever is a symptom of coronavirus), so getting a durable and reliable digital thermometer is handy too. Opt for ear thermometers, especially for babies and toddlers so you can accurately measure their temperature.

Topical paracetamol, antihistamines and ibuprofen (or some other type of over-the-counter pain reliever recommended by your doctor)
Aloe vera gel
Anti-diarrhea medication
Laxative
Antacids
Cough and cold medications
Auto injector of epinephrine (as prescribed by your doctor)

You can also consider aspirin in your first aid-kit as well. Aspirin can be a life-saver for an adult with a sudden chest pain or maybe having a heart attack. You need to call for emergency help immediately and then let the patient chew a regular strength aspirin.

Never take aspirin if you are allergic to aspirin, have bleeding problems, or take another blood-thinning medication, or your doctor has prohibited you to do so. Never let children take aspirin.

Must-Haves in Your Family first Aid Kit

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Why having a family first-aid kit at home is important