No one likes to think about an emergency that could happen in your home; however, it is important for you to prepare for any type of emergency. Not only should you keep a First Aid kit for your car, but you should also put one together for your home. A kit for your home will be there for any medical emergency for a quick fix before seeking medical help. AIS has compiled a list of 8 essential items to keep in your First Aid kit.
Adhesive Bandages– This might be the most obvious essential to have in your kit, but you would be surprised to how easily they are overlooked. It is important to have all different shapes and sizes for every cut and scrape.
Ice Packs– Even though these would be inefficient if kept in your kit, they are important to be kept accessible in your freezer. Applying an ice pack to a bump or scrape can greatly help in reducing swelling and discomfort. Alternatively,you can purchase “instant ice packs†at drugstores that activate when you squeeze them.
Tweezers– Not only is this device helpful in removing splinters and ticks, but it can also be used to get dirt and small rocks from an open wound to avoid infection.
Antibiotic Ointment– This healing tool is essential because it cleans out wounds, keeps other dirt out and also helping the healing process to go quickly.
Gauze– This light material is essential because there are sometimes cuts and scrapes too big for regular adhesive bandages. It’s important to treat the wound before wrapping it in gauze.
Adhesive Cloth Tape– Not only will this tape help you to hold your gauze in place, but it can also add pressure to stop bleeding and hold a splint in place.
Hand Sanitizer– Sanitizer is important for those quick emergency fixes. While in a quick emergency, you might not have the opportunity to wash your hands, so the sanitizer is a fast way to disinfect your hands before dressing any wounds.
Hydrocortisone Cream– This cream is the best for soothing both itchy insect bites and mystery rashes. You can purchase it over-the-counter at your local pharmacy, but it’s important to ask your pharmacist which strength to purchase if you have children.
After you get all of your supplies collected, it is then important to grab a container to keep it all together, such as make-up bag or shoebox. Make sure your First Aid kit is in a well-known and easily-accessible place that everyone in the house can reach. A well-prepared kit will aid you in any emergency where you need to treat minor injuries.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources. This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements, nor is it intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.
