First aid instruction manual

What good is a first aid kit if you’re not sure what to do with all your supplies? The American Red Cross recommends keeping an instruction booklet in your kit to help with any out-of- the-ordinary situations.

Disposable latex gloves

When taking care of an injury, keeping the wound as sanitary as possible is important! Make sure to wear gloves to prevent infection or the transmittance of blood borne disease.

Bandages

Naturally, bandages are an essential in a first aid kit. From adhesive bandages to rolls of elastic wrap, you’ll want to have an assortment of bandages for any accidents, large and small, that may occur.

Antibiotic and Hydrocortisone ointments

These two types of ointments are great for cleaning up cuts and treating those itchy bug bites and rashes kids always seem to have. It’s good to have these on hand in your at-home first aid kit.

Aspirin (ibuprofen For children)

Your family’s trusted pain relievers and fever reducers, whether over-the-counter brands or homeopathic alternatives, are great to have on hand when immediate aid is needed. The Mayo Clinic also advises keeping non-aspirin pain relievers in your kit, as aspirin can cause Reye’s syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal condition, if given to children.

Antiseptic wipes before bandaging

Scissors and tweezers

Scissors and tweezers are both useful additions to your first aid kit. The scissors will come in handy for cutting gauze strips to size and tweezers are always good to have in case of splinters.

Gauze pads and rolled gauze

When a job is too big for an adhesive bandage, use gauze to cover the wound.

Instant cold packs

For all the bumps and bruises life throws your way, make sure you have instant cold packs on hand.

Activated charcoal tablets

Activated charcoal can be used to help manage a poisoning. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, you should always contact a poison control center before using the tablets.