Easy Home First Aid Kit

Everyone should have a first-aid kit at home and in the car, plus a portable kit to take along when traveling.

Keep the one at home in an easy-to-access spot, such as your kitchen.

You can make your own with sample-size products tucked into a zippered plastic bag – or you can buy kits that don’t cost a lot of money but contain everything you might need, just in case.

In fact, you can purchase a kit for far less that would cost to buy all the supplies separately; this is one of those rare cases where it costs less for a more convenient option.

There is a huge variety of first aid kits available, and most are of reasonable quality and relatively inexpensive.

I especially like the Aid & Prep 250-Piece First Aid Kit; here’s why:

Aid & Prep First Aid Kit for Home and Office, Lightweight and Compact for Travel - Medical Supplies for Basic Emergencies-250 Pieces FDA labeled, USA assembled

This Kit comes fully-stocked with FDA Labels and clearly labeled stock numbers and expiration dates so you never have to worry about bandages that crack or don’t stick, and you never have to worry about expired medicines or ointments (unlike the kit from China, which may have been sitting on the stockroom shelf forever before you took ownership).
the Aid & Prep Kit comes with high quality products

includes everything you should have in your kit

Made to be OSHA and ANSI Compliant

presents in a compact, organized style

it provides excellent value for the price; you simply could not assemble this quality assortment of medical supplies and the durable bag with the handle and zipper for that price.

consumer reviews have been consistently excellent

No-hassle Lifetime Manufacturer’s money back guarantee

Free shipping when you buy 2 or more (keep one in the car, boat or cabin)

In other words, it’s everything you need and it’s priced right.

Included in the Kit

Alcohol Prep Pads & Antiseptic Towelettes

Instant Cold Compress

Tweezers & Safety Pins

Antibiotic Ointment & Burn Cream Ointment

Non-aspirin Tablets & Aspirin Tablets

Sting Relief Pads

Cotton Tip Applicators & Finger Splints

Adhesive Bandages (1 x 3) & (3/4 x 3) & Butterfly Closures

Paper Tape Roll (1.5 x 2.5 yds)

Sterile Gauze Pads (2 x 2) & Sterile Trauma Pads (5 x 9)

First Aid Instructions

Examination Gloves

This is a Fantastic Kit – However …

Just a couple of boo-boos can wipe out those little packets of pain relievers, bandages and antibiotic ointment in any pre-made kit, so stock up on extras of those common items, so you can replenish the kit as needed.

Also, there are a few extra items you will want to add to this (or any) pre-made kit, so go over the must-haves checklist below.

Be sure you keep your first-aid supplies neatly organized in one place, so that you don’t waste time rounding them up when someone’s hurt. And remember to restock when you use something up.

It’s also a smart idea to go through your kits every year to replace out-of-date medications.

First Aid Checklists

Below are checklists of everything you should have on hand. Note that the mouth-to-mouth barrier device, the hydracortisone ointment, thermometer and additional drugs are items that you should add to any pre-made kit. In addition, you should have a cold pack in your freezer at all times.

Must-haves:

First-aid handbook

Disposable medical-exam gloves (preferably vinyl; some people are allergic to latex)

Mouth-to-mouth barrier device for rescue breathing

Absorbent compress dressings

Adhesive bandages in assorted sizes

Sterile gauze pads

Adhesive cloth tape

Roller bandages

Triangular bandages

Safety pins or bandage closures

First Aid Scissors

First Aid Tweezers

Triple-antibiotic ointment

Hydrocortisone cream

Gel cold pack to keep in freezer at all times (or instant cold compress)

Thermometer , with extra batteries, if it uses them (see my reviews of digital thermometers)

Drugs; I recommend having the following medications in adult and child (if applicable) formulations:

acetaminophen (tylenol or generic)
ibuprofen (Advil or generic)
aspirin (brand name or generic)
antihistamine (Benadryl or generic)
antidiarrhea medicine (Imodium or generic)
antacid (tums or generic)

Prescription medications and medical supplies

Emergency contact information and medical history of each family member

Sample-size or individual-use packets of meds and ointments you can pack in a travel kit, antiseptic wipes in case you’re not near soap and water, and an emergency blanket

Things you don’t need:

syrup of ipecac.

chemical preparations to stop bleeding.

smelling salts.

tincture of iodine.

Whether you purchase a kit or assemble your own, keep your first aid kit handy and fully stocked. Check for expired items regularly and refill anything that is running low.