Most of us have a medicine cabinet at home with a ready supply of medications and emergency supplies. If you're really prepared, perhaps you even have a proper first aid kit on hand. However, when you and your family are traveling, do you have any emergency supplies? If not, it is easy to put together a basic travel first aid kit that can help with some of the health hazards you may face while traveling.

The exact contents of a kit will vary based upon your destination. If you're going to be in a cold climate, you may want to pack emergency blankets and disposable hand warmers. In a warmer climate, perhaps sunscreen and emergency water rations would be necessary. And, of course, you'll want to pack a lot more for a camping trip to Yellowstone than a few days spent in Disneyworld.

However, there are a few basic items you should consider having on hand to make sure that you stay healthy on your journey wherever it takes you. Before leaving, get a large plastic bag or other portable, waterproof container, and fill it with some or all of the following supplies, as you feel appropriate.

* adhesive bandages in various shapes and sizes: Readily available in pre-mixed assortments, these will provide rapid protection for any small cuts or scrapes.

* a tube of antibiotic ointment: When applied to an injury, this ointment will keep it moist and protected while preventing any infection from occurring. One small tube lasts a long time.

* alcohol wipes: Often available as "prep pads", these will both allow you to clean your hands before handling an injury - or eating! - and allow gentle cleansing of dirt or other contaminants from the affected area.

* sterile gauze pads: Available in a variety of sizes, these pads are ideal for covering larger scrapes and other wounds that are too big for an adhesive bandage. They can also be used for drying after use of an antibacterial wipe or other cleanup.

* adhesive cloth tape: Easily torn by hand, cloth surgical tape will assist in holding sterile pads over the site of an injury.

* elastic bandages, 2" and 4": Primarily used for wrapping strains and sprains, these bandages can also be used to hold on gauze pads and wrap splints. 2" bandages are good for hands and ankles, 4" for larger joints such as knees and elbows.

* anti-itch lotion or gel: Applied to bug bites, poison ivy, or other irritations to relieve minor pain and itching. Available in a variety of forms and brands.

* diphenhydramine tablets:

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