• Be Aware
    • Hazards
      • Earthquake
      • Extreme Cold
      • Extreme Heat
      • Household Fire Dangers
      • Flooding
        • Turn Around – Don’t Drown
      • Hazardous Spills
      • High Winds
      • Ice Storm
      • Lightning
      • Power Outages
        • Generator Safety
        • Carbon Monoxide Dangers
      • Severe Storms & Thunderstorms
      • Tornado
    • Radio Lexington
    • Get Involved
      • CERT
    • CSEPP
      • History of CSEPP
      • CSEPP in Kentucky
      • Blue Grass Army Depot
      • Chemical Agent Disposal
      • CSEPP in Fayette County
      • Zones
    • Get the BeReady Phone App
    • NOAA Weather Radio
    • Outdoor Warning Sirens
      • Siren FAQ
    • How to Be Prepared for Emergencies – American Sign Language
  • Make a Plan
    • Planning for AFN/Disability Groups
    • Equine Preparedness Plans
    • Farm Preparedness
    • Pet Preparedness Plans
    • Senior Preparedness Plans
    • Hazard Mitigation Plan
    • Shelter in Place Plans
    • Special Events-How to get a permit
    • Travel Plans
    • Utility Shutoff Plans
    • Ready Kat
  • Build a Kit
    • Your financial emergency kit
    • Vehicle Emergency Kits
    • Emergency Kits
    • Home Emergency Kits
    • Pet Emergency Kits
  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • Who We Are
    • Forms
    • Newsletters
    • Emergency Operations Center
    • Contact Us
    • Training
    • Library
  • en English
    en Englishes Spanishar Arabicfr Frenchhi Hindija Japanesekm Khmerko Koreanne Nepalipt Portugueseru Russiansw Swahili
en English
en Englishes Spanishar Arabicfr Frenchhi Hindija Japanesekm Khmerko Koreanne Nepalipt Portugueseru Russiansw Swahili
Be Ready Lexington
  • Be Aware
    • Hazards
      • Earthquake
      • Extreme Cold
      • Extreme Heat
      • Household Fire Dangers
      • Flooding
        • Turn Around – Don’t Drown
      • Hazardous Spills
      • High Winds
      • Ice Storm
      • Lightning
      • Power Outages
        • Generator Safety
        • Carbon Monoxide Dangers
      • Severe Storms & Thunderstorms
      • Tornado
    • Radio Lexington
    • Get Involved
      • CERT
    • CSEPP
      • History of CSEPP
      • CSEPP in Kentucky
      • Blue Grass Army Depot
      • Chemical Agent Disposal
      • CSEPP in Fayette County
      • Zones
    • Get the BeReady Phone App
    • NOAA Weather Radio
    • Outdoor Warning Sirens
      • Siren FAQ
    • How to Be Prepared for Emergencies – American Sign Language
  • Make a Plan
    • Planning for AFN/Disability Groups
    • Equine Preparedness Plans
    • Farm Preparedness
    • Pet Preparedness Plans
    • Senior Preparedness Plans
    • Hazard Mitigation Plan
    • Shelter in Place Plans
    • Special Events-How to get a permit
    • Travel Plans
    • Utility Shutoff Plans
    • Ready Kat
  • Build a Kit
    • Your financial emergency kit
    • Vehicle Emergency Kits
    • Emergency Kits
    • Home Emergency Kits
    • Pet Emergency Kits
  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • Who We Are
    • Forms
    • Newsletters
    • Emergency Operations Center
    • Contact Us
    • Training
    • Library
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • YouTube

  • RSS

Build a Kit

Build a first aid kit and learn first aid skills

Build a first aid kit and learn first aid skills
DEM Blogger
November 20, 2022

A well-stocked first-aid kit can help you respond effectively to common injuries and emergencies. Keep at least one first-aid kit in your home and one in your car. Store your kits someplace easy to get to and out of the reach of young children. Make sure children are old enough to understand the purpose of the kits and know where they’re stored.

You can buy first-aid kits at many drugstores or assemble your own. You may want to tailor your kit based on your activities and needs. A basic first-aid kit includes:

Basic supplies

  • Adhesive tape
  • Elastic wrap bandages
  • Bandage strips and “butterfly” bandages in assorted sizes
  • Nonstick sterile bandages and roller gauze in assorted sizes
  • Eye shield or pad
  • Triangular bandage
  • Aluminum finger split
  • Instant cold packs
  • Cotton balls and cotton-tipped swabs
  • Disposable non-latex examination gloves, several pairs
  • Duct tape
  • Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
  • Plastic bags, assorted sizes
  • Safety pins in assorted sizes
  • Scissors and tweezers
  • Soap or hand sanitizer
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Antiseptic solution and towelettes
  • Eyewash solution
  • Thermometer
  • Turkey baster or other bulb suction device for flushing wounds
  • Breathing barrier
  • Syringe, medicine cup or spoon
  • First-aid manual

Medications

  • Aloe Vera gel
  • Calamine lotion
  • Anti-diarrhea medication
  • Laxative
  • Antacids
  • Antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine
  • Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and aspirin (never give aspirin to children)
  • Hydrocortisone cream
  • Cough and cold medications
  • Personal medications that don’t need refrigeration – At least a three day supply of medicines for chronic/maintenance conditions
  • Auto-injector of epinephrine, if prescribed by your doctor

Emergency items

  • Emergency phone numbers, including contact information for your family doctor and pediatrician, local emergency services, emergency road service providers, and the poison help line, which in the United States is 800-222-1222.
  • Medical consent forms for each family member
  • Medical history forms for each family member
  • Small, waterproof flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries
  • Waterproof matches
  • Small notepad and waterproof writing instrument
  • Emergency space blanket
  • Cell phone with solar charger
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Whistle

Advanced first aid kits also include:

  • Combat Application Tourniquet
  • Bleeding Control Kit

Give your kit a checkup

Check your first-aid kits regularly to be sure the flashlight batteries work and to replace supplies that have expired or been used up.

Consider taking a first-aid course through the American Red Cross. Contact your local chapter for information on classes.

Prepare children for medical emergencies in age-appropriate ways. The American Red Cross offers a number of helpful resources, including classes designed to help children understand and use first-aid techniques.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Related Items
Build a Kit
November 20, 2022
DEM Blogger

Related Items

More in Build a Kit

Get those you love prepared for Valentine’s Day!

DEM BloggerFebruary 13, 2020
Read More

Feb 20 is National Love Your Pet Day

DEM BloggerFebruary 20, 2019
Read More

It’s time to fall back one hour and safety check your home

DEM BloggerNovember 2, 2018
Read More

Make your family and home disaster resistant

DEM BloggerApril 1, 2018
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Copyright © 2018.

Download the BeReadyLexington app
Pets Need Special Care During Cold and Snowy Weather