A well-stocked first aid kit is a necessity in every home. You never know when accidents or illness will strike, so it’s important to be prepared. But what should you include in your first aid kit? And how much of each item do you need? Read on to find out.

Bandages and Gauze

You can never have too many bandages. Include a variety of sizes, from large gauze pads to small adhesive bandages, in your first aid kit. You should also have some medical tape on hand to secure the gauze in place. Aim for at least 10 bandages of each size. Don’t forget to add some black nitrile exam gloves as part of your kit too, these will come in handy constantly. 

Painkillers

Stock your first aid kit with both over-the-counter and prescription painkillers. This way, you’ll be prepared for everything from a mild headache to severe pain after an accident. As a general rule, you should have at least 10 pills of each type of painkiller. 

Antiseptic Wipes and Creams

To prevent infection, include antiseptic wipes and creams in your first aid kit. These will come in handy if you or a family member sustains a cut or scrape. You should have at least five antiseptic wipes and two tubes of antiseptic cream. 

Allergy Medication

If anyone in your household has allergies, make sure to include allergy medication in your first aid kit. This could be anything from antihistamines to an EpiPen, depending on the severity of the allergy. Ask your allergist how many doses of medication you should include. 

First Aid Manual

Include a comprehensive first aid manual in your kit so that you can reference it in case of an emergency. Make sure that the manual is easy to understand and up-to-date; a good resource is the American Red Cross First Aid App. 

Assemble Your Kit 

Once you have all of the items, it’s time to assemble your kit. Start by finding a suitable storage container. Then, add in all of the items listed above. If you’re including any optional items, add those as well. Once everything is in the container, close it up and put it in an easily accessible place in your home. That way, if you ever need it, you’ll be able to find it quickly and easily. 

Assembling a home first aid kit is a simple yet vital task that every homeowner should complete. By including items like bandages, painkillers, antiseptics, and allergy medication, you can be prepared for anything from minor scrapes and bruises to life-threatening emergency situations. So make sure to put together your own home first aid kit today.