Emergencies can happen any time, and lives can be lost when there is no immediate help. Therefore, it is wise to be prepared with a well-stocked first aid kit. Creating a first aid kit at home is a good idea because you can personalise it to suit your family members’ special needs.
1. Find a Container
You can purchase an empty first aid kit. You can also use a large, water-resistant, translucent, flexible or rigid plastic container with a latch-top lid or a zip. With this one you can see what is inside. If you want a larger first aid kit, you can use a backpack. Even a lunchbox can be used as a first aid container. Clearly label your container by writing “FIRST AID” on several places with a permanent marker.
2. Add the First Aid Items
Bandages. You will need different types and sizes of bandages when dealing with minor cuts and scrapes. Buy 25 adhesive bandages in different sizes, 10 gauze pads in two sizes, 2 sterile dressings, a roll of cloth adhesive tape, 2 roller bandages, one of them wide, and 2 triangular bandages. Put all the bandages in a clear zip lock bag.
Basic tools. You will need tools to pluck out splinters, to cut bandages and to perform other first aid activities. Include a small pair of sharp scissors, tweezers, non-latex gloves, a non-mercury oral thermometer, cotton balls, cotton swabs, a CPR breathing barrier mask, hand sanitizer, an instant cold compress, cleansing wipes, and a first aid instruction booklet. Place these in a marked zip-close bag.
Medicines. Put in a separate zip lock bag aloe vera gel, calamine lotion, laxatives, anti-diarrheal medication, antihistamines, antacids, pain killers (aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen), cough medicine, flu medicine and hydrocortisone cream.
Prescription medicines. You can customise your first aid kit to suit the needs of your household. For example, if some people take prescription medications regularly or have allergies, keep a small supply of their meds in the kit. This will help them in cases of emergency.
Additional tools. If you have space include other items such as sewing needle, eye protection, duct tape, safety pins, petroleum jelly, aluminum finger splint, and a turkey baster to flush out wounds. Keep these in a separate zip-close bag.
3. Create a Checklist
After stocking your first aid kit, record every item on a sheet of paper that you can keep in the kit. Record the list of items, the amounts and the expiration dates of ointments and medications. This will help whoever uses the kit to know what is available and ready to use.
4. Educate Your Household
Explain to the family members the purpose of the first aid kit and make sure they know when to retrieve it. Teach older children and adults how to use the items in the kit, using a fist aid booklet for guidance. Make sure the baby sitter also knows how to use the kit.
5. Make the Kit Safely Accessible
Keep your first aid kit in a closet somewhere where it is easily accessible. Make sure everyone in the household knows where the kit is. Even small kids must know where it is but they should not be able to access it. At least they will be able to show any visitor or the babysitter in your absence.
6. Keep the Kit Up-to-Date
Keep track of quantities of the supplies and their expiry dates. Have a set date on which you check the kit and buy new items when some have been used or have expired. You can purchase any of the items online via PharmEasy who will deliver them to your home for free.
7. Create a Travel First Aid Kit
Create a first aid kit similar to the one in the home and keep that second one in the car. Include in the travel first aid kit a torch with batteries, waterproof matches, a solar charger for mobile phones, insect repellant, sunscreen, a whistle, phone numbers for the doctor and medical history forms for anyone with special medical problems. Make sure the kit is accessible.
Your Family is Protected!
Now you are ready for any emergency at home or on the road. This guide was put together with the courtesy of team at Pharmeasy. PharmEasy is an online healthcare company that links you to registered pharmacies in your area, facilitating purchase of medicines online and free delivery. In Countries like India they struggle a lot with literacy and people who get caught out online operators who sell fake medicines from “online pharmacies”. Ordinary people do not understand how to vet their suppliers. Therefore, Pharmeasy acts as a service that helps people avoid illegal online pharmacies, by connecting them to local registered/licensed pharmacies in India and providing the data/AI interface for traditional pharmacies that are still offline.