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Maybe it's my background in healthcare, or maybe it's just because I like to be prepared, but I always like to have a first aid kit with us wherever we go. I've had to dig into my kit on several occasions. Thankfully, it's never been too serious, but I'm happy to know that I have a family friendly first aid kit available should we need it.
How to create a family first aid kit
Your supplies might vary depending on where you live and the ages of your family members, but here are my recommendations for some items you might want to consider picking up to assemble your own first aid kit:
A container to store all of your supplies: I purchased a store-bought kit several years ago and it came nicely packaged in a plastic storage container. A preassembled kit is a great place to start since it already has many of the supplies you'd want, but I prefer to customize my kit a bit more.
Gloves: Disposable gloves are a must-have. While you may not mind tending to your own child's scraped knee, you might run into a situation where you have to offer first aid to someone you don't know. Protecting yourself is essential, so pick up a few pairs of disposable gloves so you aren't potentially exposed.
Cleaning solution and gauze: There are pre-moistened wipes that are available to cleanse wounds, but even having a simple bottle of water can go a long way to clean a scrape or cut. You'll also want to have some gauze on hand to dab away blood or dress a wound.
Antibiotic ointment: Keep bacteria at bay with antibiotic ointment. This is a first aid staple and should definitely be included in your kit to help prevent infection and for temporary pain relief for minor injuries.
Bandages: You'll want a variety of sizes of bandages in your kit, but especially during the summer months when kids are constantly swimming or splashing around, you'll want waterproof bandages. Nexcare Waterproof Bandages utilize innovation and technology to create a barrier between wounds and everyday activities. They offer superior protection against water, dirt and germs by providing a 360 degree seal to help prevent against infection. Nexcare Waterproof Bandages stay in place and stand up to long-wear so they're an excellent choice for your first aid kit.
Hydrocortisone cream: You never know when skin irritation, a rash, or an eczema flare up will strike, so hydrocortisone cream is great to have in your kit. This is especially helpful if you live in an area with poison ivy.
Insect repellent and sunscreen: You know what they say about an ounce of prevention... protect yourself and your family from pesky insects and sun damage (and painful sunburns!).
Anti-itch cream: The mosquitos here in Florida are unbearable, and even with wearing insect repellent we're bound to get a few bites here and there. Anti-itch cream is an absolute must-have for us!
Aloe Vera: Hopefully you apply (and reapply!) sunscreen while you're outdoors, but just in case someone ends up with a sunburn, aloe can help soothe that tender skin.
Antihistamine tablets (or liquid if you have small children): Used to treat sneezing, runny nose, itching, hives and other symptoms of allergies, antihistamine medications should certainly be included in your first aid kit. If you have a family history of severe allergic reactions you should talk to your healthcare provider about allergy testing and possibly getting an injectable form of epinephrine for emergencies.
Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers like Acetaminophen or Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) should also be included in your kit. You might want to consider having Aspirin on hand as well since it can be lifesaving in the event of a heart attack.
Asthma medication: There is nothing scarier than watching a child struggle to breathe. If your child has asthma, ask your healthcare provider for an extra prescription for a back-up inhaler
Scissors and Tweezers: These will come in handy for cutting bandages, opening supplies, and picking out splinters.
Small Flashlight: Healthcare workers carry penlights to help them visualize injuries in low-light settings, so a flashlight is a great option to have in your kit.
Disposable CPR mask: We never want to believe that the unthinkable could happen and that we'd be responsible for saving someone else's life, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. A disposable CPR mask offers a one-way valve that's designed to prevent cross contamination. That way, if you ever have to provide mouth to mouth resuscitation you don't have to worry about exposing yourself.
I'd also recommend keeping your family first aid kit in your vehicle. I keep ours in my SUV; that way if we're out and about I have access to it, but even if we're at home I can quickly run out to my vehicle and access my kit.
Do you have a first aid kit for your family?
Is there anything you'd add to my list?
Artadorned says
Good tips for the first aid kit! and the video of nana is so cute!
Amber Ludwig says
Great list!! I don't have one but should make one!! My son is so accident prone lol!! I would add one of those one time use ice packs 🙂 They are great and don't take up much space either!!
Melissa K says
The pre-assembled kits never have everything you want. Building your own is a much better idea! Thank you!
Joanne Gregory says
I love the tips on the first aid kit. The most important thing is to have the things you need together and in a place where even the kids can find it in case you are the one injured!
Marnie G (Derrick Todd) says
Great suggestions on what to put in the kit. It would be great to have one in the house and in each vehicle.
Ashley Chassereau Parks says
I have most of these items around the house, but they aren't in a kit form. I think making a little kit to keep in my car could be helpful when I am out with the kids!
Nicole W. says
I thought the flashlight item was a good one that I hadn't thought of. Thanks!
Nicole Anderson says
I love the recommendations for what to put in a kit. I would like to offer a suggestion that many do not think of. Medications will break down and be ineffective in extreme temperatures (too cold or too hot). I agree that medications for allergies or pain are an important part of a kit but if it is a kit to keep in the car maybe add some dollar bills to stop at a convenience store to get those medications if needed. If a kit is left in a car for more than a few hours on a hot summer day you might find the medications in it are no good because a car reaches over the temperature that is recommended. 🙂 Just a thoguht for people to think about.
Sue M. says
I'd never thought about the disposable CPR mask, that's a very good idea. This is a very helpful list, thanks for posting!
Natasha M. says
Great kit. and good ideas to start my own first aid kit.
Jo-Ann Brightman says
These are very good tips. Some I always have on me and some Itry to make sure stay in the car.
Courtney Lane says
This is an amazing idea! Definitely saving this to make for later!
Leela says
I have all of that and neosporin.
kim vh says
A great collection of necessities! I have a first aid kit in the house. You hope to never have to use it though!
Nikki Strong says
This is a great list for a first aid kit! It helps to have these on hand when your kids (ah-hem - or mom) are having a melt down!
Check me out at www.FrugalMomClub.com
Angie S. says
I love the idea of disposable gloves! I work in healthcare so I could stop and help if someone needed it, but would definitely want gloves on hand if I did that. Thanks for the great ideas!
Thearry Loun says
How cute is the video!
Paul says
I always have first care kit in wife's car, my truck, one in the garage, and one per level of house.
Sarah B. says
Ooooh, this is perfect for putting in exactly what we need!
Robin says
I don't have a first aid kit in my vehicle but after reading this I will be putting one together.
Deborah D says
I love these tips
Danielle G says
I think these are great suggestions and am happy you included asthma medication! It's something that is too often left out.
Kelly Marlow says
I need to make a first aid kit for my family. I do have all the first aid supplies but they are in my bathroom cabinet. I want to make a simple one to keep in the car all the time too. Nothing like the kids getting a boo boo while you are out with them and you don't have a band-aid on you.
Sammi Rose says
This is great and very helpful! Cheaper than buying a pre made one, and you can choose what to keep in the kit!
cassie says
such a great idea. when we have first aid needs, i always find myself answering my husband's question as to where everything is. one central spot in a kit would be a great thing in our house
Elizabeth Johnson says
Our family loves bandaid but we go through cheap ones too fast. Nexcare seems to be one of the best brands especially when your kids love water like us
adriana says
Good idea, love the tips.
william gossage says
these are great tips. we had almost evert hing you mention in our first aid kit
Maryann says
Read this post yesterday, and actually went home and made a kit!
Linda Mannst says
These are all such great things to carry with you for an emergency. I need to make a copy of your list and put a box together for me when I am on the go. Thank you so much for sharing
Melissa Gephart says
What type of thermometer do you think is most accurate. Ear, mouth, head scanner? My mom had both ear and mouth thermometers, the ear sometimes hurt and the under the toungue isn't all that comfortable. . . thoughts?
Jeannette Mills says
I love these tips...the waterproof band aids are without a doubt the best with little ones. They seem to be more difficult for them to take off 😉 LOL......and they last through all the hand washing we do!
Shelley T says
This is such a good thing for every family to know.. Now if someone can give me tips on keeping the kids out of the bandaids that would be great! haha
Judy G says
very important to have all components in the first aid kit
Chelsea says
This is great to know! I need to make one. My son is 9 months old so he'll be walking soon and be getting lots of boo boos.
Carissa P says
I have a tiny first aid kit that fits in my purse but probably should make a bigger one for bigger first aid needs.
I'd like to see Nana in a food fight. Want to make sure those can hold up to food the messes kids can make.
Mami says
Good idea!! I always have kit like this with me..no gloves,scissors though..
Wendy Mastin says
First Aid kits are a plus for our family,
Lori Mahan says
I love the kit reminder and I would suggest a bottle of water and one of those breakable ice packs for dehydration. I think I would use up the ice packs this summer because it's just HOT!
Beverly Guajardo says
It is always good to have a first aid kit around. I make sure ours is always ready when we need it.
Alicia Rhodes says
Love this post! I have a first-aid kit in the bathroom as well as a child friendly one in my daughters' and travel kits in each vehicle. However, I've noticed that you didn't list any disinfectant. I prefer Johnson's hurt free wash for kids.
MICHELLE ELIZONDO says
Im glad you chose nexcare!! thats the brand my family uses and it has worked the best.
Richard Hicks says
Good idea for a kit. We have one butt so many do not
Cheryll Shubert says
Such a great idea...especially with little ones, you should always be prepared for an emergency. You'll never know when you are going to need a first aid kit! My little one just loves to run and climb everything! He falls a lot! This is a brilliant idea!!
Lily Kwan says
This list is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
serena says
This is such a great list. I try to keep a small version in my purse which has come in handy when we're out and about or at the playground.
Jennifer Gleaton says
I absolutely love this giveaway! I entered and I hope Nana chooses my suggestion to keep out dirt!
Jo-Ann Brightman says
It is very important to have a first aid kit in the car as well as in the house. I just have to update some of,the emergency allergy items.
Anna K. says
I'm so glad you posted about first aid kits. I think they are so important!
Deborah D says
These are some great ideas.
Casey B says
This is great to have!
gina blades says
Hydrocortisone cream and aloe vera are good ideas for a first aid kit.
Hillary says
Great blog post!
Cassidy Ciazza-Morelli says
I love the kit you put together, i need to make a more extensive one. You included antihistamine which is something I wish my had. My 14 year old had his first bad reaction to bee stings the other day, I am thankful we live close to the E.R but I would have liked to have given him benadryl before we left, and now that we know, carry an epi pen always. you never know when an allergy may develop
Helen says
First aid kits are so important to have. Thanks for all the great tips. It really is a big help.
Katherine Riley says
Great list, I would also put a small blanket near the first aid kit (or even a survival one). You can go into shock very easily and a blanket will help prevent that.
Nikki Strong says
I think making your own kit is a great idea. A mom knows her children better than anyone. We are prone to know what our kids will get in to.
Dandi D says
This is a really good idea, and I should really make some kits for my family!
Katy says
Thank you so much for reminding me to put a first aid kit in our diaper bag! I have one in each car and one at home, but with our baby turning into an active toddler this summer, I'm sure there will be many boo boos to treat and kiss! Thanks for the comprehensive lists!
Dagmar Moretti says
I have a first aid kit in the car now, but after reading this there are things that definitely need to be added!
rachel cartucci says
I actually need to look through my first aid kit...I bet I am missing lots and somethings are probably old and need replacing.
Cheryl says
Great idea to make one instead of buying premade
Lesley F says
Some of these I don't have in our car. I will have to do an update
Laura Emerson says
I like how this kit has everything you need for an emergency. I never thought of putting Aloe Vera in one but it makes a lot of sense.
Dorothy Boucher says
I have to say these bandages are really well made, I have a couple and had to use one during my camping trip and I have already entered for what Nana is going to do next 🙂
April Beech says
We have put together our own first aid kit as well. They are a great idea to have because you never know when an accident, big or small, may happen.
Olivia Caswell says
I keep all my liquids in individual baggies in case of spills.
Dorothy Boucher says
I have gotten to try these bandages and I love them, love the way they protect your cut and yes I can still do my dishes without them falling off..
Linda Mannst says
I feel it is important to have a firstaid kid at home and on the go, especially with little ones. You have a great selection here. Thank you so much for sharing
Joanne Gregory says
It is always good to be prepared. Hard to run looking for things when someone is bleeding & crying!
Kathy Haury says
I like the thought of keeping an extra inhaler in the first aid kit! I never had an extra when my kids were growing up, but it's good to know if I ever need it for the grand kids!
Elizabeth Johnson says
Water proof bandaids are such a good invention as bandaids are always coming off every time we bathe or wash our hands. And we always should have emergency kids in our car or small one in our purse or bags.