Guide to Preparing a Home First-Aid Kit

A first-aid kit is an important item in every home and car, helping manage minor wounds, scratches and sprains until medical care is reached when needed. Add medicines to the first-aid kit as directed by a doctor or pharmacist.

Start With a Ready-Made Kit or Assemble Your Own

A ready-made kit saves time and can be supplemented for your family. If assembling your own, choose a sturdy box that is easy to carry and open, clearly labelled for first aid.

Plasters

The American Red Cross recommends assorted plaster sizes in a kit. Waterproof plasters suit hands and frequent washing. Wound-closure strips bring together the edges of small superficial wounds and should not be used for deep wounds or bleeding that will not stop.

Dressings, Gauze and Cotton

Wounds larger than a regular plaster need sterile dressings, rolled gauze to secure them and medical adhesive tape. Open sterile dressings only when needed and avoid touching the part that will contact the wound.

Bandages

A compression bandage helps support a joint after a minor sprain. Wrap moderately firmly without causing finger numbness or blueness. Tubular net bandages hold dressings where wrapping is difficult.

Disinfectants

Alcohol and alcohol swabs are useful for disinfecting tools such as tweezers and cleaning intact skin around wounds. Mayo Clinic advises rinsing the wound itself with clean water, as strong antiseptics may irritate tissue. Read disinfectant use and dilution instructions before use.

Tools

It is also useful to add small scissors, a torch, and a sheet with emergency numbers, family medicines and allergies.

Managing a Minor Wound

  • Wash hands or wear gloves.
  • Press the wound with clean gauze until bleeding stops.
  • Rinse with clean water and remove visible dirt.
  • Cover with a plaster or sterile dressing, changing daily or when wet or dirty.

When to Seek Medical Help

Seek medical care immediately if bleeding continues despite several minutes of pressure, the wound is deep, large, on the face or caused by an animal bite or contaminated object, or infection signs appear, such as increasing redness, swelling, pus or warmth. Ask the doctor about tetanus vaccination if unsure when the last dose was given.

Caring for the Kit

  • Store in a dry place known to adults and out of children's reach.
  • Check contents every few months, replacing used or expired items.
  • Do not leave alcohol disinfectants in a closed car in the sun.

Find more supplies in the Medical Devices section, and ask the pharmacist about suitable medicines for your family's kit.