Page 3 of 7
In addition to medications, a good first-aid kit should function as a one-stop shop for emergency supplies and should include:
- Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
- Elastic bandage
- Gauze pads and rolls
- Adhesive tape{relatedarticles}
- Antiseptic wipes
- Antibacterial soap
- Tweezers; preferably metal
- Scissors
- Instant cold and hot packs
- Oral thermometer
- Splint
- Non-latex gloves; more than one set and in varying sizes
- CPR mouthpiece
- Blanket (in the car)
You may have to augment your store-bought first-aid kit with a few extra items, including a flashlight, batteries and an extra towel. It's also a good idea, especially for the first-aid kits stored in your purse and car, to have a list of important phone numbers. This could include your family doctor, poison control center, and numbers of family members or friends that could be reached in the case of an emergency. At home, you don't need to keep them stored in your first-aid kit, post them on your refrigerator.
