Do you have a first aid kit in your apartment? If the answer is no, we’ve got all the essential information you’ll need to create your own kit. We’ve also got some tips on where to store it and how to keep it up to date.
While a first aid kit is designed to immediately help an injured person, it’s also a tool to minimize and treat minor injuries. You can buy a kit from the store but making your own will insure you have all the essentials and allow for personalization.
Having a container with compartments to sort and organize first aid gear is best, but any container large enough to store a variety of items will work. Organize the items by use, with the ones you’ll use most frequently at the top.
Here are our suggestions to include in your kit:
Wound protection and containment:
- A variety of different sized bandages
- Steri-Strips or butterfly sutures to close small wounds
- Gauze & surgical tape
- Optional: Duct tape, this tape can be used to close larger wounds until help arrives.
Infection defense:
- Antiseptic wash to clean wounds
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Hand sanitizer
- Alcohol wipes
- Antibiotic ointment
- Saline to flush wound or eye wash
Tools and accessories:
- 2 pairs of disposable gloves
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Elastic bandage & triangle bandage
- Safety pins
- Thermometer
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Face mask
- Flashlight
- Epi-pen (if used by a household member)
Pain management:
- Instant hot and cold packs
- Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin for pain relief
Emergency documents:
- Emergency contact numbers for:
- Family Doctor
- Pharmacy
- Poison Control
- Local ambulance, fire department, and police services phone numbers
- List of current medications
- List of known medical allergies
- First Aid manual
Your finished kit should be stored out of reach of young children, but in a central location where all members of the household know to find it. Remember your kit is only helpful if it’s up-to-date and fully stocked. It’s important to review the contents every 6 months to revise medication lists, check expiry dates, and restock missing items.