Anyone with children knows that boo-boos just happen. Most homes have some sort of first aid kit available for the unexpected burn, cut, or scrape. Being prepared for more major emergencies is a simple matter of expanding the number of supplies you have at home – and in your car.
 

Your First Aid Kit Packing List

There are many readymade kits available to purchase (i.e., American Red Cross). But if you prefer to build your own medical kit, collect some basic and simple items.
 
Here are a few suggestions:

• Assorted sizes of bandages (i.e., band-aids, gauze pads, gauze wraps, etc.)
• Paper tape, plastic tape
• Bandage scissors
• Tweezers
• Oral thermometer
• Antibiotic cream, burn cream or sprays
• Hydrocortisone ointment packets for rashes
• Antiseptic washes (i.e., Bactine)
• Alcohol
• Normal saline for contact lenses (may be used to wash wounds before applying a bandage)
• Instant cold compress
• Thumb depressors to make a small splint
• Ace bandage and safety pins to wrap sprains
• Plastic bags for soiled items
• Hand sanitizer
• Surgical masks
• Disposable gloves
• Pain relievers such as Tylenol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, etc. (pediatric and adult)
• And a first aid instruction booklet available online from the Red Cross

 
Additionally, disaster planning experts recommend that you include:

• Your personal medications and a list of what those medications do
• Emergency phone numbers for your healthcare providers

 
Make sure you regularly check your first aid kit for items that might be running low and expiration dates on medicines.
 
And if you are a first responder or medical professional, your neighbors would be grateful if you have extras to help respond if a disaster hits in your neighborhood.