Accidents happen. The key, is to be prepared. Every home should have two first aid kits. Keep one maintained in the home, and keep a portable first aid kit ready to go on car trips, camping trips and hikes. For your stationary kit, keep it well stocked and in a convenient place where everybody knows it's location. If you have a large house, it's a good idea to store one on each floor.

The first thing to do, is post all emergency numbers where they are easily accessible. The best place is on the refrigerator. In addition to 911, include the emergency room, poison control, taxi's, your and your spouse's work numbers, cell numbers, and emergency contact numbers like your parent's or a neighbor.

In addition to phone numbers, list any allergies that anybody in the family may have. Make sure your babysitter's are aware of your children's special needs, or if you have a nurse to assist your elderly parent make sure they have read their medical charts thoroughly.

A standard first aid kit should include the following:

*A water tight box to hold all your medicinal supplies
*first aid booklet or chart that is easy to read
*burn dressing
*adhesive ointment or burn ointment
*adhesive dressings
*bandages in various sizes
*disposable gloves
*various sizes of sterile dressings
*adhesive tape
*Ace bandage
*tweezers
*scissors
*cotton padding, cotton balls, Q tips
*paper and pencil
*face shield
*flashlight
*whistle
*safety pin
*rubbing alcohol
*thermometer
*magnifying glass
*razor blade
*insect repellent

There are pros and cons to stocking drugs in your first aid kit, however I recommend you do so for allergies, fever reducers, or indigestion. If you or someone in your family has allergies, stock it with the appropriate medication.

Drugs to stock:
*Benedryl
*Pepto Bismal
*Tums
*Aspirin
*Syrup of ipecac (if suspected poisoning)
*calamine lotion
*benetadine (iodine cleaning agent)

Make sure everyone in your family knows basic emergency procedures like CPR, is aware where emergency numbers are located, and has a plan of attack in case something were to happen.

Learn more about this author, Molly Carter.
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