The must-pack items for your first aid kit

When preparing a medical kit for your home, it’s good to be covered for different types of emergencies from cuts to headaches. Always consult your physician before using any medication and to use any over the counter medication according to the manufacturer‘s directions. And always keep medications in their original containers.

The top 10 items that shouldn’t be missing from any home first aid kit are:

1. Band aids: These little adhesive bandages are great when you accidentally cut yourself when chopping food! For example, you have to be careful when learning how to cut a pineapple or carrying out DIY chores like drilling a hole. You can get waterproof or standard band aids.
   
2. Bandages: Bandages are essential first aid kit items. It’s best to get a variety of different types including triangular and gauze rolled bandages. Triangular bandages can be used to secure dressings while rolled bandages are draped across a wound.
   
3. Adhesive tape: Tape is vital to secure bandages in place.
   
4.  Scissors: These shouldn’t be missing from any medical kit to help cut the bandages and tape.
   
5. Tweezers: A good kit includes tweezers. You never know when you may need to remove a splinter or something else from your skin.
   
6. Gloves: You should include a few sets of disposable, packaged gloves. Larger wounds shouldn’t be touched with your bare fingers to avoid getting germs into the wounds and to protect yourself.
   
7. Antiseptic spray: Effective wound cleaning is often the first step when treating smaller cuts and burns. Choose an appropriate antiseptic spray that is labeled to prevent infection. It’s also important to know how to wash hands properly before cleaning wounds.
   
8. Thermometer: It’s best to choose a digital thermometer for your first aid case. You can select from thermometers that measure the temperature in the ears, mouth, or rectum.
   
9. Analgesics and Anti-inflammatories: Stock up your first aid kit with acetaminophen and ibuprofen. It’s good to have both on hand, because they work differently. Both can treat fever and pain.
   
10. Cough medicine: Flus and colds are incredibly common during the autumn and winter season so it’s advisable to have some cough medication on hand. Your whole family will sleep much easier.

All packed and ready to go on that well-deserved holiday? Wait, you’ve forgotten the most important thing: the vacation medicine kit. It can be easy to forget to pack for things that haven’t even happened yet. Again, always consult your physician before using any medication and to use any over the counter medication according to the manufacturer‘s directions. And always keep medications in their original containers.

Here’s what you should bring:

1. Band aids: Cuts can happen wherever you are in the world so bring some band aids.
   
2. Painkillers: A good vacation medicine kit definitely includes ibuprofen or paracetamol. You’ll never know when that headache strikes.
   
3. Stomach medication: Pack some antacids and diarrhea pills. You want to be covered when the local cuisine doesn’t agree with your stomach.
   
4. Hand sanitizer: It depends on where you’re off to, but if you’re traveling to exotic and less frequented places, it’s a good idea to carry some antibacterial gel or spray.
   
5. Electrolyte powder: If you suffer from diarrhea on your trip, these will be vital to replace lost fluids.
   
6. Antiseptic spray: This shouldn’t be missing from your travel kit. Sometimes band aids aren’t enough.
   
7. Purchase potable water: In some locations, it is unsafe to drink the tap water.
   
8. Cold/flu medication: In case you come down with a cold on your trip.
   
9. Decongestants: These are great if you are traveling with a runny nose.
   

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