First Aid Kit Essentials For Your Home or Car

In an emergency, you want to make sure you have the right materials in your home or car so you can give proper care. Here are tips when you make your own or buy a First Aid Kit.

Please note that DobroSKILLS is a Licensed Training Provider for the American Red Cross but is not being paid for any advertisements or endorsements of products.

Where should you have a First Aid Kit?

First Aid Kits come in many shapes and sizes and can be designed for different purposes. Some First aid Kits are metal with clips closing it shut and some kits are in folders with pages and close shut with zippers. Ideally you should have a First Aid Kit in your car and home. You can make a First Aid Kit on your own or buy pre-made kits from your favorite local or online store.

American Red Cross First Aid Supplies

First Aid Kit List For A Family of Four

The American Red Cross has a list of materials that it thinks a family of four should always have in their first aid kit.

• 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)

• 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)

• 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)

• 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)

• 5 antiseptic wipe packets

• 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)

• 1 emergency blanket

• 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)

• 1 instant cold compress

• 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)

• 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)

• 1 3 in. gauze roll (roller) bandage

• 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)

• 5 3 in. x 3 in. sterile gauze pads

• 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)

• Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non glass)

• 2 triangular bandages

• Tweezers

• Emergency First Aid instructions

Things to Remember

When you buy or make your own First Aid Kit make sure to make the following.

• Check the expiration dates of the First Aid Materials on a regular basis and replace the items when they are used or expired.

• Include any personal items like medications.

• Add a list of emergency phone numbers recommend by your health care provider.

Are you looking to get trained in First Aid?

Did you know that DobroSKILLS Offers American Red Cross Online only, Virtual, and In-Person First Aid/CPR/AED Classes?

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Cited Sources

American Red Cross. (n.d.). Make a first aid kit. Supplies & Contents | American Red Cross. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/anatomy-of-a-first-aid-kit.html