I have 3 boys, so my first aid kit gets used a great deal. Most of the time it is for minor cuts and scrapes.
Having a family first aid kit for home use that would be ready to take with you in an emergency is essential for any prepared family.
5 Essential Steps to Building A Family First Aid Kit:
1. Storage Container:
We have our family first aid kit in a tackle box. A tackle box makes it easy to locate items and has lots of compartments. It also makes the kit easy to carry on the go.
As you can see from the picture below, I still have many empty compartments so I can keep adding things to the kit as I go.
When looking for a tackle box (or any container), make sure you get it big enough that you can contain all the supplies that you need, but not too big that it is super heavy.
Remember that in an emergency you may have to carry it. I suggest checking out (affiliate link) this list of tackle boxes and see which one works best for your family.
2. Basic supplies*
Here is a list of basic supplies to get your family first aid kit started. You may also want to add items unique to your family that will help you be better prepared for the every day and emergencies.
- Adhesive tape
- Elastic wrap bandages
- Bandage strips and “butterfly” bandages in assorted sizes
- Nonstick sterile bandages and roller gauze in assorted sizes
- Eye shield or pad
- Triangular bandage
- Aluminum finger split
- Instant cold packs
- Cotton balls and cotton-tipped swabs
- Disposable nonlatex examination gloves, several pairs
- Duct tape
- Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
- Plastic bags, assorted sizes
- Safety pins in assorted sizes
- Scissors and tweezers
- Soap or hand sanitizer
- Antibiotic ointment
- Antiseptic solution and towelettes
- Eyewash solution
- Thermometer
- Turkey baster or other bulb suction device for flushing wounds
- Breathing barrier
- Syringe, medicine cup or spoon
- First-aid manual
3. Medications
- Aloe vera gel
- Calamine lotion
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Laxative
- Antacids
- Antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine
- Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and aspirin (never give aspirin to children)
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Cough and cold medications
- Personal medications that don’t need refrigeration
- Auto-injector of epinephrine, if prescribed by your doctor
4. Emergency items
- Emergency phone numbers, including contact information for your family doctor and pediatrician, local emergency services, emergency road service providers, and the poison help line, which in the United States is 800-222-1222.
- Medical consent forms for each family member
- Medical history forms for each family member
- Small, waterproof flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries
- Waterproof matches
- Small notepad and waterproof writing instrument
- Emergency space blanket
- Cell phone with solar charger
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Whistle
*List from Mayo Clinic
5. Keep It Accessible
It won’t help to put together a family first aid kit if you can’t find it when you need it. So make sure you know where the kit is and let everyone else in the house know as well.
The best place to put it would probably be with your 72 hour kit and other emergency supplies. That might be in a closet or under a bed. Whatever works for your family is best.
A family first aid kit is essential to have in order to be prepared for the everyday and emergencies in your family. Keep it stocked and don’t forget to replace things as you use them.
Do you have a family first aid kit that you love? Let us know in the comments below. And if you found this post helpful, please share. Thanks!
I see Lifesavers! I’m assuming to calm the injured kiddo down, right? Because candy totally makes me feel better 🙂
yes! It is always good to have a treat when someone gets hurt. Especially in an emergency situation. Thanks for stopping by!
Great post! It is so important to be prepared, you never know when you’ll need it! Thanks for sharing at Dishing It & Digging It!
Definitely! Thanks for dropping by!