With the necessity of having a first aid kit, how do we know what we really need in them? Do we buy a ready-made one at the store or online? Do we just put one together ourselves? I do have to say that this one is a preference. Ready-made first aid kits are great but they don’t always contain what we really need.

I will start with recommendations made by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and The American Red Cross. On OSHA’s website, www.osha.,gov, their requirements can be found. According to their recommendations, you need gauze pads, band-aids, gauze roll, butterfly band-aids, wound cleaner, scissors, a blanket, tweezers, adhesive tape, latex gloves, a barrier method for CPR, elastic wrap, a splint, and direction for requesting emergency assistance.

On The American Red Cross’s website, they too have their recommendations. Their website, www.redcross.org, has a different list than on OSHA. The American Red Cross suggests you should have the following in your first aid kit, compress dressings, band-aids, cloth tape, antibiotic ointment packets, antiseptic wipes, aspirin, blanket, cold compress, non-latex gloves, hydrocortisone ointment packers, scissors, roller bandage, gauze pads, thermometer, butterfly bandages, tweezers, and a first aid instruction booklet.

I, however, feel that finding a first aid program and taking the course to become first aid certified would really help me out not to mention that I would be prepared to use my first aid kit if needed. This would also help me with the essential items I need for a good first aid kit. I have compiled a list of items to start out with for a great First Aid Kit. These can be stored in a tool box or a tackle box. This can be used at home, school, the car, or at work.

  • • 1 box of multi-size Band-Aids, the bigger the better
  • • 1 box of multi-size Butterfly Band-Aids
  • • 1 tube of Antibiotic Ointment with Pain Relief, this can be substituted with individual packets
  • • 1 tube of Hydrocortisone Cream, this too can be substituted with individual packets
  • • 2 boxes of Gauze Pads, in various sizes
  • • 1 roll of Cloth Tape
  • • 1 roll of Gauze
  • • 1 box of Antiseptic Wipes, non-alcohol
  • • 5 pairs of Gloves, I have latex. If you use non-latex, they need to be replaced every few months.
  • • Tweezers
  • • 1 Seal-Easy
  • • 1 small bottle of Aspirin, chewable pills
  • • 1 small bottle of Ibuprofen, pills
  • • 1 small bottle of Acetaminophen, pills
  • • 1 bottle of Children’s Ibuprofen, liquid
  • • 1 bottle of Children’s Acetaminophen, liquid
  • • 1 bottle of Infant’s Acetaminophen, clear liquid
  • • 1 bottle of Antihistamine, pills
  • • 1 bottle of Children’s Antihistamine, liquid
  • • Scissors
  • • Fingernail Clippers
  • • Thermometer, I use the one that goes in the ear
  • • 2 packages of Cold Compresses
  • • 2 packages of Hot Compresses
  • • 1 Blanket
  • • 1 roll of Roller Bandage
  • • 1 box of Finger Splints
  • • 1 bottle of Family Bug Repellant
  • • 1 bottle of Children’s Sunblock, spf 50 and waterproof
  • • 1 Snake Bite Kit
  • • 1 box of Matches
  • • 2 Flashlights
  • • Batteries, all sizes
  • • Highway Flares
  • • Small Paper Cups

I then check my supplies in my First Aid Kit every few months. There is no telling what has been taken out by co-workers or family members. I also make sure that my cell phone is completely charged whenever I leave the house, just in case!