The Basic First Aid Kit Every Home Should Have

Whether you live alone in an apartment or with a houseful of children, you would be wise to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet. Go through your first aid kids and medicine cabinets on a regular basis to check for expired medications, perhaps when daylight savings time begins and ends, or when you change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Supplies

• Airtight packages of moist wipes
• Alcohol wipes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic ointment or wipes
• Bandages (several sizes)
• Calibrated medical spoon and dropper
• Cold pack
• Cotton-tipped applicators
• Elastic wrap and closures
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Paper and pencil/pen
• Roll of adhesive tape
• Safety pins
• Sterile gauze pads and roll of gauze bandages
• Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)
• Activated charcoal and syrup of ipecac (call Poison Control Center before using: 800.222.1222)
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Disposable gloves
• Thermometer (oral, non-glass)

Extra Items for Car/Boat

• Clean, folded sheet and lightweight blanket
• Large flashlight and extra batteries
• Flares
• Large waterproof tarp or cover
• Plastic water bottles, sealed

Medicines

• Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and/or naproxen sodium (for pain relief and fever reduction)
• Chewable aspirin tablets (for symptoms of a heart attack)
• Antacids
• Antihistamine tablets or syrup
• Antidiarrheal medicine
• Cough medicine
• Decongestant tablets or liquid

Source: The American Institute for Preventative Medicine