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Which First Aid Supplies to Buy
Though you might know that you need to have first aid supplies at home, you might not know which supplies you need to have on hand. Learning what supplies will be most handy in an emergency situation can you prepare yourself and your family for injuries and accidents. Here are some of the basic first aid supplies you should have on hand at your home, your office, and in your car.
For Cuts and Scrapes
Since cutting yourself is the most likely scenario, you will want to make sure your first aid supplies include a variety of bandages, antiseptic wipes and creams, as well as wrap bandages. You need to have equipment to clean and sterilize the wound as much as possible and then to cover it up to prevent infection. If you have a larger wound, you might want to have butterfly bandages on hand too in order to keep the wound together until you can get to a hospital.
For Burns and Big Bites
When you are buying first aid supplies for your home, you will also want to include a tube or jar of burn ointment as well as cortisone treatments. The burn ointment will help to soothe a burn, while the cortisone will help when you have gotten bitten by a mosquito or other biting insect. This anti-itch cream will also help with allergic reactions. In addition, you should also stock some pain relievers (acetaminophen is well tolerated by most people) as well as an antihistamine medication.
For Sprains and Possible Broken Bones
Other common first aid supplies to buy include reusable or breakable ice packs. These work well for bruises as well as for sprains, strains, and fractures. Simply wrap the ice pack in a piece of cloth and then place on the affected area for 20 minutes. Take the ice pack off, allowing the skin to re-warm for 20 minutes and then replace. It will also help if you have a splint in your first aid kit to help keep a broken or sprained limb in position until you can see a doctor.
You might also want to include:
• A thermometer to check for fever
• Sugary candy for low blood sugar
• Anti diarrhea medication
There are hundreds of different possibilities in terms of first aid supplies. Start with some of these basics and then slowly add to your collection as you feel is necessary. Of course, these items will need to be replaced as they age, so watch out for expiration dates ever so often.