Tamás Ő.
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Verified by
Sander D.
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Last updated:
July 11, 2024
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When it comes to unexpected accidents, the first thing we turn to is our trusty first aid kit. With such a kit at hand, you can quickly react to any sort of emergency situation that threatens the health of your family members. Even though the importance of first aid kits is widely acknowledged, very few people know what items should belong in the box. Many people have a shoebox or medicine cabinet with some supplies stuffed into them, but right when the moment hits you often happen to not have that one bandage or other item you need. We came up with a checklist of items that you need to have in your home’s first aid kit to avoid lacking that one necessary item in case of an emergency. There are also a number of other things you need to know about maintaining your first aid supplies and your DIY kit if you intend to customize it on your own.
Whether you assemble your own first aid kit or buy a pre-made package, you must be aware of the items that should certainly be included. According to the Red Cross, every first aid kit should include a versatile list of bandages: 25 adhesive triangular ones and at least two roller bandages with varying width. You also need sterile gauze pads, a cloth tape, at least 5 antibiotic ointment packets, and wipe packets. But the list doesn’t stop here: you must also include a thermometer, special scissors, non-latex gloves, tweezers, a breathing barrier, a cold compress and at least 2 absorbent compress dressings.
And these are just the medical items: there are must-have medicines as well. Aspirin and painkillers are all must-haves, but if you or one of your family members has a special allergy or illness, then include the corresponding medication too.
Choosing the ideal first aid kit is quite the challenge, considering all the offers you come across on the internet. You must evaluate your standards on your own, but to get a hold of what a first aid kit should look, let us recommend you three noteworthy contestants.
In case you don’t like the idea of purchasing a complete first aid kit, you are free to assemble your own package. However, it does matter what you include in your package.
First of all, forget expensive medical cases: you just need something that seals perfectly, resists water, and is sturdy enough to withstand a fall or minor bruises. Previously we already enlisted the necessary list of wound supplies and safety items, so the only thing you have to remember is to put each item in different nylon bags. We highly recommend creating multiple first aid kits: therefore the same kit you store in your car shouldn’t be used in the kitchen. However, never ever split your supplies, even if you just want one bag of medicine and bandage for traveling purposes. Instead, buy some backup items from stores like Amazon, where you can find all the available first aid kit supplies under a separate category.
Having a full-on first aid kit is one thing, but you shouldn’t forget that bandages won’t apply themselves. You must be familiar with treating an injured person, and what actions should be avoided at all cost. We can’t give you a complete walkthrough for every situation, as first aid guides do the same way better than us. Therefore, make sure to include a brief instruction book in your kits if it’s not included already.
However, it also pays off just to read on the topic, either buying a book on the topic or by downloading informative smartphone apps, full of the same useful information. Speaking of the latter, both the American Red Cross and AR Medical developed their respective application, featuring useful tips and guides for every emergency, as well as video guides and a search function to quickly find a hospital in your vicinity.
First aid kits are the key to quickly stop an injury from getting worse. However, you cannot treat every health related issue with your first aid box; doctors and professionals all recommend calling 911 or visiting a hospital, no matter how serious the injury is. In fact, requesting further medical assistance is a must for people who have weak health, such as seniors, or patients with severe health problems. In case a senior citizen is having a stroke, forget the first aid kit and call for assistance immediately.
Better yet is when there is a personal emergency button around, since you can immediately alert paramedics, thus increasing the patient’s chances of survival. Medical alert systems also offer a constant connection to a seasoned team of monitoring professionals, who can provide quick and proper assistance over the phone. Furthermore, they have the patient’s medical history on file, and can request an ambulance on your behalf.
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