What You Need For A First Aid Kit at Home
Your Home First Aid Kit
However well you try to avoid accidents you can never succeed 100%. So whether it’s a small abrasion, a splinter in your finger, or something more serious, it’s a good idea to be prepared. We were in touch with Dr Luitgard Holzeg, a medical doctor in Zurich to get some advice as to the essentials you really need for a first aid kit for your home.
Create Your Own First Aid Kit At Home
Here is the list of first aid materials you should have at home:⠀⠀
Bandaging materials
* plaster/bandaids in different sizes⠀
* sterile dressings (compresses) in different sizes⠀
* gauze bandages in different widths and lengths ⠀
* elastic bandages in different widths and lengths ⠀
* butterfly strips⠀
* triangular bandage⠀
* safety pins⠀
* simple bandage strips (also help to fix bandages)⠀
* bandage clips help to fix bandages⠀
Extras⠀
* disinfectant (Dr H prefers ointment over spray, especially Betadine ointment)⠀
* fever thermometer (digital)⠀
* disposable gloves ⠀
* tweezers to remove splinters, thorns etc.⠀
* tick removal card⠀
* cool compress/icepack or grape-seed or cherry pit cushion (keep them in the freezer. Never place an icepack directly on the skin!)⠀
* scissors with rounded tips⠀
* safety pins⠀
* sick bag⠀
* list of emergency numbers (Hospitals, nearest A&Es- place in accessible place or on your fridge door)⠀
* first aid instructions⠀
* torch/flashlight⠀
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Medications⠀
* fever medication (acetaminophen / paracetamol / ibuprofen)⠀
* throat lozenges⠀
* antipruritic (anti-itch) lotion/ointment (ask your pharmacy for an over the counter option)⠀
* anti-histamines if needed (for oral use)⠀
* cooling gel for sports injuries⠀
* burns ointment (only after first aid measures have been applied)⠀
* medication against diarrhoea and constipation⠀
* any medication for frequently suffered ailments such as oral herpes or indigestion ⠀
Keep Your First Aid Kit in a Safe Place
Store all the items in a large, well labelled tin or box. Keep your first aid kit in a safe place either in the kitchen or the bathroom but out of reach of young children and pets. Don’t forget to tell any babysitters, grandparents etc where to find it if it is needed when you are out.
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Dr Holzeg runs regular Health and Safety Courses as well as Basic Life Support and Babysitting Courses in Zurich. Please check her Healthy and Safe Website for more information.
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