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A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept within easy reach, is a must for every home. Having the right supplies ahead of time will help you handle an emergency at a moment's notice. Keep a first-aid kit in your home and in your car. Also bring a first-aid kit when your family travels.

You can buy a first aid kit at drugstores or a local Red Cross office, or make one of your own. If you make one, use containers that are roomy, sturdy, easy to carry, and simple to open. Plastic tackle boxes or containers for storing art supplies are ideal because they're lightweight, have handles, and offer a lot of space and separate sections.

What Should a First-Aid Kit Include?

Put these in each of your first-aid kits:

  • an up-to-date first-aid manual
  • a list of emergency phone numbers
  • sterile gauze pads of different sizes
  • adhesive tape
  • adhesive bandages (Band-Aids) in several sizes
  • an elastic bandage
  • a splint
  • antiseptic wipes
  • soap
  • hand sanitizer
  • antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
  • sterile water, saline (saltwater), or irrigation solution and a large syringe for washing cuts
  • tweezers
  • sharp scissors
  • safety pins
  • disposable instant cold packs
  • alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
  • a thermometer
  • tooth preservation kit
  • plastic non-latex gloves (at least 2 pairs)
  • a flashlight and extra batteries
  • a mouthpiece for giving CPR (you can get one from your local Red Cross)
  • an eye shield
  • eye wash solution

Keep medicines your family might need in your kit, such as:

  • antibiotic ointment
  • hydrocortisone cream (1%)
  • calamine lotion
  • acetaminophen and ibuprofen
  • an antihistamine (anti-itch medicine), like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, or store brands
  • extra prescription medicines (if you're traveling)
  • medicine syringes and cups

After you've stocked your first-aid kits:

  • Read the first-aid manual so you'll understand how to use what's in your kits. (If your kids are old enough to understand, review the main points with them.) Read the manual from time to time and check to see if it is up to date.
  • Store first-aid kits out of children's reach but where adults can easily get them.
  • Check the kits regularly. Replace missing items or anything that has expired.
  • Make sure babysitters and other caregivers know where the kit is and how to use it.
  • Check the flashlight batteries to make sure they work.
  • If you're flying, pack the first-aid kit in your checked luggage. Many of the items won't be permitted in carry-on bags.
Medically reviewed by: Melanie L. Pitone, MD
Date reviewed: June 2022