10 things that MUST be in your First Aid Kit

  Typical!! You have a meal at your house to celebrate a birthday and someone has an accident, not very serious, but it needs attention and you remember that you don’t have even a small bandage in a drawer, let alone a first-aid kit. And yes, while I wish first-aid kits were never needed, it’s always good to have one on hand. There are various types of first-aid kits, from VERY basic ones that are pre-assembled and only contain cotton and an aspirin, to ones with hospital-use medications that seem more suited for an emergency room than a home. In essence, you can make your first-aid kit very basic or super complete, just keep in mind that the main function of a basic first-aid kit is to have everything necessary to treat small wounds, as well as a few common aches, but they are not meant to contain a complete pharmacy inside. Of all the things you can include, make sure the following 10 items are not missing: Anti-bacterial gel: It’s always better to wash your hands with water and soap before any treatment, but this is in case it’s not possible. Sterile gloves: These are for cleaning blood; you should not come into direct contact with it. Neutral soap: Ideally, it would be surgical soap, but liquid neutral soap works very well for washing wounds. Sterile cotton and alcohol: To clean the skin, alcohol burns on open wounds just like Merthiolate, so another antiseptic like Microdacyn might be more comfortable in these cases. Swabs and sterile gauze: They can be used to clean a wound. And gauze is also used to cover it after cleaning. Adhesive tape: This sticks gauze very well to the skin. Bandages: There are different sizes, but I would recommend a 5 cm one for a first-aid kit, to cover a wound or immobilize, but if you need to immobilize a leg… better go to a hospital. Scissors and tweezers: The scissors should be clean and should not be used for anything else, meaning they cannot be kitchen scissors… since they are for cutting sterile first-aid kit materials. The tweezers are for removing splinters or something small from the skin and should also not be used for anything else. Both should be disinfected every time they are used. Thermometer: You can use an electronic or mercury one, but remember that the latter needs to be read properly. Always clean them with alcohol before and after use. Medications: For a basic first-aid kit, not too many are required, but here’s a mini list: Aspirin, paracetamol, and ibuprofen: fever and pain Antacid tablets: for any stomach discomfort Antibiotic cream: to apply on small wounds after treating them. Steroid ointment: Helps relieve itching and inflammation in case of insect bites. It’s always important to check the expiration dates of the first-aid kits to replace medications and materials that are no longer useful and replace them with new ones, and for everything you use, don’t forget to disinfect or replenish it. It is important to have a complete first-aid kit because you never know when an accident might occur. Don’t forget to include a card with the updated emergency phone numbers of the city where you live: ambulance, fire department, police, etc. These can always be useful in an emergency. Here’s the link to one of my videos where I explain how to assemble a first-aid kit in more detail: If you like it, don’t hesitate to subscribe to my channel and follow me on my Facebook page for more health tips. Kisses!!