Supplies needed for a family first aid kit.

It is important to keep a well-stocked first aid kit in your home, especially if you have children, as you well know they can be very prone to accidents, but with the right equipment at hand you can deal with those cuts, burns and bruises easily and safely. But instead of spending a fortune buying one pre-stocked, it is easier to put together your own.

The container

First you need to chose you container, where are you going to keep all you kit. It should be in one place and durable, waterproof, easy to carry and easy to open. You want to be able to carry it with you in an emergency, consider buying a tackle box, or a large plastic container, but even a bag with a zip would work for now.

How to stock your kit.

First, I would recommend buying a simple first aid manual, as this can be useful if your not sure what to do in an emergency, like someone has an asthma attack. Even if you are well trained, others in your house might not be, and its common during an emergency to forget what to do. So buy a little first aid manual to keep in your kit.

The following should also be added:

Adhesive tape

Sterile absorbent dressing

Plasters of all sizes and shapes

Sterile gauze - useful for covering wounds.

Bandages in various sizes, 2", 3" and 4"

Oral Antihistamines - for mild allergic reactions.

Antiseptic Cream - Savalon is fine

Non-Latex gloves at least 2 pairs

Antiseptic Liquid - Dettol is fine

CPR mask - not essential but best to have one

Safety Pins - For slings

A resealable bag- to put used items in

Triangular bandage - For making a sling

Thermometer

Small torch and batteries

Tweezers

Calamine Lotion - to soothe bites and rashes

Painkillers - Ibruprofen, Paracetamol, and children's ones if you have kids

Pocket Knife

Scissors - for cutting bandages

List of numbers for local police etc

It is important to remember to replace the items once you have used them, so you don't run out when you need it the most. It is also important to keep the first aid kit out of the reach of children, because it has painkillers and scissors which in the wrong hands might be dangerous. But keep a copy of emergency numbers on the fridge or somewhere close by for your children in an emergency.

Keeping these simple items in your home will give you the peace of mind you need as a parent, and allow you to treat most household accidents.

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