Safety and Injury Prevention

First Aid Kits for Home and Away

You can download this article as a PDF (English, Spanish).

Are you ready?

Having a well-stocked first aid kit handy will help you take care of injuries at home and on the go. You can buy a first aid kit or make one out of a lunch box, tote bag or tackle box.

Kit contents

Information:

Emergency phone numbers: 911, Poison Center, doctor, dentist and crisis line
First aid book

Supplies:

Band-Aids in assorted sizes
Gauze pads and rolled gauze
Adhesive tape
Instant cold pack (disposable)
Elastic roller bandage, like an Ace bandage
Safety pins
Triangular bandage (to wrap injury or make an arm sling)
Cotton swabs and balls
Bottle of water
Soap
Antiseptic wipes
Thermometer
Flashlight with extra batteries
Plastic gloves (2 pairs)
Tweezers
Scissors with rounded tips
Space blanket or regular blanket (stored nearby)

Medicines:

Acetaminophen, like Tylenol
Ibuprofen, like Advil
Aspirin (do not give aspirin to children under 12)
Anti-itch medicine taken by mouth, like Benadryl (antihistamine)
Electrolyte solution, like Pedialyte
Calamine lotion
Hydrocortisone cream
Antibiotic cream
Aloe vera gel
Saline wash

Tips for use

Keep this list with your kit. Check it yearly, and replace missing and old items.
Keep a kit in your home and in each car.
Know the location of the first aid kit where you work.
Remember to bring a first aid kit on trips.
Show your babysitters and older children where the kit is.
Keep the kit where adults can easily reach it, but young children can’t.
Post the number for the Poison Center near each phone and add it to your contacts in your cell phone: 800-222-1222. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that syrup of ipecac no longer be used in the home to treat poisoning.
Consider taking a first aid and CPR class. See our class options, or contact your local fire department, hospital or American Red Cross chapter to find out about their classes.
Consider keeping a disaster supplies kit with your home first aid kit.