First-Aid Kits

Having a well stocked first-aid kit in your home is an essential part of preparedness. It is also important to have personal first-aid kits in your 72-hour kits as well as your cars, campers and etc.

Basic list of suggested first-aid kit items vary but you can put together a kit that is as simple or complex as you want. It is imperative that you are prepared to handle serious first-aid emergencies that might accompany a disaster or any emergency that might occur.

Below is a pretty comprehensive list of suggested items for assembling your kits as well as some suggestions to making your kits complete, useable and keeping them up to date. You can customize them to fit your personal situation. Be sure that you include enough items to make sure you can handle any crisis that might arise if medical help is unavailable.

1.Update your first aid kit every six months (put a note in your calendar/planner) to replenish and check all supplies. Expired or contaminated items should be replaced.
2.Check with your family doctor for any specific medicines and first aid supplies your family might require for an emergency.
3.Some items may leak or break open. Using tubes, plastic bottles, or Ziploc bags can help prevent contamination.
4.All first aid supplies should be labeled and organized for quick and easy use.
5.Supplies may be divided and organized into compartments or sections for easier access when using your first aid kit.
6.You may include any other first aid items you feel would be useful or necessary.
7.A condensed version of this first aid kit should also be included in your 72 hour kit.

Standard First Aid Kit Supplies*
•ABD Pads (large absorbent sterile pads to stop bleeding for larger wounds)
•Ace bandage
•Adhesive bandages
•Adhesive spots
•Alcohol wipes
•Allergy medication
•Ammonia inhalant
•Antibacterial wipes
•Antibiotic ointment
•Antiseptic toweletts
•Antiseptic ointment
•Any critical medical family histories
•Band-aids
•Bicarbonate of soda
•Burn bandages
•Burn ointment/spray/gel
•Butterfly bandages
•Calamine lotion (sunburn/insect bites)
•Consecrated oil
•Container (metal, wood, or plastic) with a fitted cover (Watertight)
•Cotton balls
•Cough syrup/cough drops
•Diarrhea remedy
•Disposable blanket
•Elastic bandages
•Extra large plastic bandages
•Eye drops/eye wash (Sterile)
•Eye pads
•Feminine Hygiene (Pads will double as compresses)
•Fever reducing medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen
•Fingertip bandages
•First Aid Booklet (including CPR)
•First aid cream
•Gauze
•Gauze bandages
•Gloves/ latex
•Hand sanitizer
•Hemostats – for stitching
•Hot and cold instant packs
•Hot-water bottle
•Hydrocortisone cream
•Hydrogen peroxide
•Immunization records
•Instant ice packs
•Iodine prep pads
•Ipecac syrup (induces vomiting)
•Knife
•Knuckle bandages
•Lip ointment (chap stick)
•Matches
•Measuring cup
•Medical tape (waterproof & regular)
•Medications for children (if applicable)
•Medicine dropper
•Micropore tape
•Nail clippers
•Needle and thread
•Needles
•Pain reliever
•Paper bags
•Plastic bandages
•Prescribed Medications
•Prescriptions
•Razor blades
•Rubbing alcohol
•Safety pins
•Scissors
•Snake bite kit
•Soap
•Sponge packs
•Sterile strips and pads/ Extra large too
•Sunscreen/lotion
•Surgical tape
•Thermometer
•Tourniquet kit
•Transpore tape
•Triangular bandages
•Tweezers
•Vaseline
•Water purification tablets