Ten Must-Haves for Your Home First Aid Kit

Summer is here, and that means lots of outdoor adventures! Along with this comes increased chances for bumps, bruises, sprains, insect bites, and more.

Whether you smash your finger while working on a home improvement project or your child takes a fall while playing outside, a well-stocked first aid kit can help you avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor or hospital. Luckily, it's easy to create an at-home first aid kit. Here are some of the most important things you'll want to include. 

1. Bandages and Wound Care
   Cuts are one of the most common injuries you'll have to deal with. If a tool slips while you're doing a home improvement or you slip with a knife when you're cooking, it's important to stop the bleeding fast. For this reason, you'll want to keep your first aid kit stocked with a variety of different sized bandages, gauze pads, and adhesive tape. 
2. Help for Sprains and Strains
   From twisting your ankle to spraining your wrist, there are many ways you can hurt your joints. Make sure you have elastic bandages (like an ACE bandage) that you can use to wrap and stabilize them. A finger splint will come in handy as well. If you want to make sure you're really prepared, consider purchasing a wrist splint, elbow brace, and knee brace so they're handy if the need arises. 
3. Lotions and Ointments
   Antibiotic ointment and antiseptic solutions or wipes can help prevent infection. Hydrocortisone cream and calamine lotion will bring itch relief caused by bug bites, poison ivy, and more. It's also a good idea to have aloe lotion on hand to help with sunburn pain. 
4. Basic Tools
   Just like when you're working on a home improvement project, having the right tools can make all the difference. Stock your first aid kit with tweezers, cotton balls, Q-tip swabs, scissors, latex gloves, plastic bags, and a thermometer. 
5. Prescriptions
   If anyone in the household uses prescription medication regularly, try to keep backups of them in your first aid kit. You may consider keeping extras of your pet's medications as well. 
6. OTC Medications
   Over the counter medications can also bring serious relief! Make sure you have your preferred pain reliever, some aspirin, cough and cold medicine, antacids, laxatives, and anti-diarrheal medications. 
7. Eye Care
   Getting debris in your eye is another hazard that comes with certain home improvement projects. Make sure you're prepared by stocking your kit with saline solution, an eyewash cup, and eye bandages. 
8. Emergency Items
   You never know when an emergency can strike, so make sure you're prepared! A well-stocked first-aid kit will have items like a flashlight or headlamp, extra batteries, cell phone and solar charger, sunscreen, insect repellant, a space blanket, and waterproof matches. 
9. Important Forms
   Keep a copy of each family member's medical records in your first aid kit. Also, make sure you have completed medical consent forms for each family member. 
10. Important Phone Numbers
    Keep a written list of phone numbers for each family member and a few emergency contacts outside of your immediate family. Also write down numbers for your family doctor, pediatrician, and dentist as well as the poison control hotline, local emergency services, and emergency road service providers. 

It may seem simple, but creating a well-stocked first aid kit is one of the most important home improvement projects you'll ever do. Remember, also, that this isn't a "set-it-and-forget-it" type of project. At least once a year, check through your first aid kit. This will help ensure that you have everything you need on hand. As items get low or near their expiration date, make sure you remember to replace them.

Expecting the unexpected is critical for keeping your family safe! Make sure you're prepared by starting to create your emergency first aid kit today. 

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