Build Your Own First Aid Kit

Few of us think about first aid kits until we need one, but it’s always a good idea to have one on hand.  You can purchase different sizes and types of kits, or you can make your own.  Kits can be customized depending on intended use – a home kit will differ from a travel kit, for example.  The important thing is to be prepared to treat minor injuries or to apply first aid while waiting for professional assistance with major injuries.

Here is a list of suggested items to have in an all-purpose first aid kit.

• Adhesive tape
• Anesthetic spray or lotion — for itching, rashes and insect bites
• 4″ x 4″ sterile gauze pads — for covering and cleaning wounds, as a soft eye patch
• 2″, 3″, and 4″ elastic bandages — for wrapping sprained or strained joints, for wrapping gauze on to wounds, for wrapping on splints
• Adhesive bandages (all sizes)
• Aspirin – for pain and chest pain (chew one aspirin for chest pain)
• Ibuprofen – for pain and inflammation
• Oral antihistamines — for allergic reactions, itching rashes (Avoid topical antihistamine creams because they may worsen the rash in some people.)
• Topical corticosteroids, such as over the counter Hydrocortisone 1% for rashes
• Aloe vera topical gel or cream for burn relief
• Exam gloves — for infection protection, also to make into ice packs when filled with water and frozen
• Antibiotic cream — to apply to simple wounds
• Non adhesive pads (Telfa) — for covering wounds and burns
• Pocket mask for CPR
• Resealable oven bag — as a container for contaminated articles, can become an ice pack
• Safety pins (large and small) — for splinter removal and for securing triangular bandage sling
• Scissors
• Triangular bandage — as a sling, towel, tourniquet
• Tweezers — for splinter or stinger or tick removal