By Dezign's List of Items That Should Be Considered for Your First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept in easy reach, but away from small children, is a necessity in every home and vehicle. Having supplies gathered ahead of time and knowing how to use them will help you handle an emergency at a moment's notice. You should keep one first-aid kit in your home and one in each car. Be sure to bring a first-aid kit with any additional medication that may be needed on family vacations. Your doctor should be able to recommend the necessary medications and dosages for you to have with you if you have any questions. Emergency numbers should be posted where the entire family as well as any sitters you may have in your home, know where to look. Make sure to have your local Poison Control number there as well. You don't want to rely on your memory when you will be under additional stress and pressure of a possible emergency.

Choose containers for your kits that are roomy, durable, easy to carry, and simple to open. Plastic tackle boxes or kid's lunch boxes or containers used for storing art supplies are ideal, since they are lightweight, have handles, and offer a lot of space.

Include the following in each of your first-aid kits:

First-Aid Manual

Sterile Gauze Pads and Rolls of Conforming Gauze to Wrap with

Adhesive Tape

Adhesive Bandages in Several Sizes

Elastic Bandage (Ace Type) or Cohesive Type of Bandage that sticks to itself

Antiseptic Wipes and/or alcohol wipes

Soap or Hand Cleansing Wipes

Antibiotic Cream or Ointment (Triple Antibiotic or Neo-sporin)

Antiseptic Solution (like Hydrogen Peroxide or Alcohol)

Hydrocortisone Cream

Benadryl

Celox, or your favorite blood stopping product

Pepto Bismol Liquid or Chewables

Acetaminophen and Aspirin

(Aspirin is not recommended for children under age 12)

Extra Prescription Medications (if going on vacation)

Tweezers or a Splinter Kit

Sharp or Blunt Scissors

Safety Pins

Disposable Instant Cold Packs

Calamine or Caladryl Lotion

Syrup of Ipecac and Activated Charcoal (Call Poison Control or Doctor before using)

Thermometer - Digital

Vinyl or Nitrile gloves

Flashlight or pen light (and extra batteries)

Mouthpiece or Shield for administering CPR

List of Emergency Phone Numbers

Blanket, emergency aluminum, or regular (stored nearby)

Saline Solution to be used as Eyewash or irrigation fluid for wound

After you have stocked your first-aid kits:

Read the entire first-aid manual so you'll understand how to use the contents of your kits.

Store first-aid kits in places that are out of children's reach but easily accessible for adults.

Check the kits regularly. Replace missing items or those that may have become outdated. Remember that some bandages have latex that breaks down after about a year, and heat can increase how fast it breaks down.

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(Consider printing this out and comparing your first aid kit)