What Necessities Do I Need in a First-Aid Kit?

From kitchen mishaps like cuts and minor burns to outdoor hazards like scraped knees and bug bites, there are plenty of opportunities for injuries at home. Having a well-stocked first-aid kit in case of accidents that require basic medical attention is important for preventing infections, as well as lessening the potential severity of an injury.

A first aid kit also contains all the necessary medical supplies in one easily accessible location, helping you to save time. First aid kits usually include a variety of supplies that will help treat cuts, scrapes, sprains and burns. You can buy a prepared kit online or prepare one on your own. We’ve listed some common supplies that should be in a first aid kit to keep you and your family safe. What’s in your home first aid kit? Here are some items the Red Cross recommends:

Basic First Aid Kit for Family of Four

• 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
• 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
• 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
• 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
• 10 antiseptic wipe packets
• 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
• Cold/flu medicine
• 1 blanket (space blanket)
• 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
• 1 instant cold compress
• 4 pair of large, non-latex gloves
• 4 pair of large, latex gloves
• 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
• Scissors
• 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
• 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
• Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass)
• 2 triangular bandages
• Tweezers
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• First aid instruction booklet
• Flashlight or glow sticks
• 6 cloth facemasks

Blister Kit for Hiking and Camping

• Molefoam
• Moleskin
• 2^nd skin
• Medical tape

For Major Wounds and Fractures

• Splint: moldable foam splint
• Emergency Trauma Dressing (such as Ace wrap)
• Combat Application Tourniquet or Special Forces Tactical Tourniquet
• Wound packing gauze (Combat Gauze or Z-Pak dressing)

Over-the-Counter Medicines to Consider – Especially for Travel

• Ibuprofen (Advil), 20+
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol), 15+
• Aspirin, 15+
• Antihistamine, x10
• Immodium/Loperamide, x10
• Sudafed (or an equivalent), x10
• Throat lozenges, 10+
• Bismuth tabs, x20
• Oral rehydration, x3
• Cranberry extract, x10
• Dramamine, x10
• Stool softener (laxative), x15
• Cold and flu, x20