First Aid Kit Essentials

We've all been in situations where we need to treat a burn, a cut, a fever, a sprain, or other physical ailments but don't have the proper treatments. Not having the proper treatments and remedies for common ailments lengthens the time that the sick or injured person has to experience pain or discomfort. If we don't have the proper remedies on hand we have to spend time traveling to and from the drug store to pick up the needed medicine or injury remedy. Another common reason for a person having to withstand pain or discomfort for an elongated period of time is that the first aid kit materials are dispersed all over the home and or office in an unorganized manner. Making sure the first aid kit is organized and has a set home will expediate the retrieval time for these needed materials. Having a fully stocked first aid kit will help you be prepared for the big and little "ouchies" that inevitably pop up in life. Below is a list of common items that you should keep in your first aid kit.

• Have Advil, Tylenol, etc. on hand for pain relief.
• Keep Antihistamines (Benadryl) for allergies.
• Make sure to have an Epi Pen in case of serious allergic reactions.
• If you have small children have Syrup of Ipecac to induce vomiting if children ingest toxic liquids. This syrup should be replaced every year.
• Have triangular bandages for wrapping injuries.
• Keep elastic wraps for sprains.
• Have instant activating ice bags for reducing swelling.
• Keep rubber gloves in case you need to treat a serious wound.
• Have different sized band-aids for different sized lacerations.
• Have adhesive tape to keep wrapped bandages in place.
• Have a roll of gauze for cuts or burns.
• Keep scissors with rounded tips to cut bandages.
• Keep safety pins handy for securing bandages.
• Have tweezers for splinters and other small objects that have a way of getting themselves stuck in our skin!
• Have antibacterial soap to kill bacteria while working with scrapes and cuts.
• Use petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, for chapped skin and burns.
• Have antibacterial ointment, like Neosporin, to prevent bacteria from growing in, and possibly infecting, cuts.
• Keep rubbing alcohol handy to disinfect surfaces.
• Have cotton swaps and balls to use for applying ointments etc.
• Have a thermometer so you can easily check to see if you or a loved one is running a fever. If the fever is dangerously high go to the hospital.
• Keep a first aid chart or book to guide you through how to treat injuries.