Be Prepared! Set up your first-aid at home or medicine chest for better child and home safety.
A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept within easy reach is a necessity in every home.
A basic first-aid kit should contain the following:
Item | Purpose |
Adhesive tape | To hold dressings in place |
Adhesive / elastic bandages in various sizes | To cover, dress and protect cuts & wounds |
Alcohol swabs | To clean and disinfect the skin (applied to skin that is not broken up to the edges of the wound) |
Antiseptic cream or solution | To clean and prevent infection of cuts and wounds |
Burn ointment | To prevent infection of burns |
Cotton balls | To apply medication or wash and clean wounds |
Eye wash solution | To irrigate and wash the eye |
Plasters | To cover cuts and wounds |
Scissors & tweezers | To cut gauze and bandages and remove foreign objects from the skin |
20ml sodium chloride | To clean wounds |
Two pairs of disposable latex gloves | To prevent contamination of wounds and prevent infection |
Six safety pins | To hold bandages together |
Triangle bandage | To support an injured arm |
Sterile dressings/gauze | To dress and clean wounds |
You may also wish to include the following supplies, as well as medication for common ailments:
Item | Purpose |
Hot/cold pack | For muscle aches and sprains |
Medicated oil | To relieve nasal congestion and dizziness |
Antiseptic handwash | To wash hands |
Thermometer | To measure body temperature |
Medications: |
|
The contents of your family first-aid kit or medicine chest will vary depending on the people in your home and their needs. Our pharmacists can help you select the appropriate first-aid supplies for your home or workplace.
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This article was last reviewed on 30 Apr 2022
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