First Aid Kit Checklist

by BabyZone Editors

Essentials

 
Medications Your family’s physician may recommend storing personal medications such as insulin or asthma inhalers in your kit. Be sure to check these items periodically for expiration dates. Additionally, you may want to stock non-prescription drugs such as pain and fever reducers, antihistamines for allergic reactions, and anti-inch medications such as hydrocortisone cream.
 
 
 
Emergency Contact Keep a list of emergency phone numbers with your kit, including names and numbers for the doctor, dentist, pharmacist, and poison control center. The universal poison control telephone number in the United States is (800) 222-1222, and calls are routed to the local poison control center.

  
 
 
First Aid Manual Sometimes it’s hard to remember what to do in an emergency. A pocket-sized manual comes in handy, taking you step-by-step through first aid care.

  
 
 
Activated Charcoal This substance is widely used to treat acute poisoning (overdose) by reducing absorption of certain substances into the gastrointestinal tract. Activated charcoal should only be used under instruction from the poison control center.

  
 
 
Gauze Pads and Adhesive Tape Non-stick gauze squares are soft and will absorb fluids from a wound or infection.
 
 
 
Antiseptic Wipes/Ointment These handy items can disinfect a wound and help prevent infection.
 
 
 
Adhesive Bandages Keep assorted sizes of these with your kit; you never know how big or small a scrape may be.
 
 
 
Ice Pack You can buy inexpensive, ready-to-use ice packs that get cold quickly when you need them. The packs are useful for treating pain and swelling from bumps, bruises, sprains, stings, and a variety of other health problems that call for cold therapy.

 
 
 
Disposable Gloves It’s best to carry non-latex if you can, since some people are allergic to latex gloves.
 
 
 
Scissors and Tweezers You may need scissors to cut gauze, adhesive tape, or cloth. A good pair of tweezers has easy-to-grip handles and can be used for splinter removal and other first aid procedures.

 
 
 
Triangular Bandage This large, triangular fabric can serve many purposes, such as use as a roller bandage, compression bandage, tourniquet, or sling.
 
 

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