Human body is prone to accidents. Be it a minor scrape, bruise, cut or a more severe injury, you must attend to it immediately till you obtain expert medical aid. There are very few smart people out there who have all the things in place when they need them. Remember Murphy’s law? When you need an antiseptic, and the entire house has to assume the role of CID and rummage through the kitchen cabinets, bathroom, drawing room drawers and bedroom cupboard. Emergency will not greet you with prior notice, you must be prepared to face it. There should be a first aid box in your household and each one of the family member must be aware of it and easily access it.
Why Should You Have A First Aid Kit At Home?
With kids, accidents can strike anytime. If you are prepared with a well-stocked first aid kit, it will be tad easier for you to tackle any emergency situation at a moment’s notice. We’d even say that a first aid kit that is kept easily reachable is a prime requirement in any home. You can even make seasonal first-aid kits and keep them handy. Plastic boxes, that are easy to carry, simple to open, come with handles and carry a good room would be ideal for collating the supplies.
What Should A First Aid Box Contain?
The first aid box usually contains band-aids, cotton, gauze and antiseptic. But is that all? Below are a few items that will complete the first aid box:
Emergency numbers: The phone number of parents, few relatives or friends, residents and neighbors nearby, police, hospital and family doctor must be enlisted for quick access.
Allergy list of all members: In case you are not around, others should be able to right medication considering any allergies.
Over the counter medicines: You can store over the counter medicines for the most common conditions experienced in day to day life. These include:
Headache: Dispirin, Saridon
Stomach ache: Antacid such as Gelusil, Pudin Hara – in tablet or liquid form
Diarrhea: Electrol powder or ORS
Cold: Coldarin, D Cold
Cough: Syrups
Anti-allergic: Histamine such as Cetirizine
Decongestant
Painkiller: Aspirin
Anti-itching cream: Itch guard
Hydrocortisone cream
Mosquito repellent cream
Activated charcoal: Can be stored in form of tablets to fight case of acute oral poisoning
Dropper: Some medicines need to administer by drops, especially in case of children
Bandage and adhesive tapes: Bandage for minor cuts and bruises. Store waterproof adhesive tapes for fixing gauzes on wound
2″ and 4″ gauzes: Small and big gauzes to cover wound
Scissors: Scissor is an essential tool for dressing
Antiseptic liquid: A small bottle of Dettol or Savlon is an absolute must! If possible, you should dilute this in water before application
Antiseptic cream: Any antiseptic cream such as Soframycin or Gentamycin will help prohibit production of germs at wound
Antiseptic wipes: When it is not possible to wash the wound, antiseptic wipes are quite handy
Cold pack: It is quite possible to run out of ice when you need it. Cold pack may be kept in a refrigerator or at room temperature. This instant coolant will soothe swelling and numb pain
Tweezers: Tweezers make it easier to remove a sphincter or small foreign particles causing distress
Latex gloves: Surgical gloves help prevent transmitting germs to an open wound
Thermometer: Get digital thermometers instead of traditional mercury ones as they are easier to use and do not break into pieces when dropped
Vaseline petroleum jelly: Cracked lips or heels, Vaseline has many uses. You may need to use it to lubricate rectal thermometer too
Calamine lotion: A calamine lotion works well in soothing burn, rashes and itch. For older people it helps in fighting dry skin too
Flashlight: A small torch is quite useful to observe wound and comes handy during dark. Make sure that the batteries are working
Cotton and cotton swabs: Store adequate sterilized cotton and cotton swabs that can be placed over eyes or wound
Eye drop: You can keep an eye drop which fights irritation. They can be real life saver as any discomfort to eye is unbearable
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