First aid kit

Information

You should make sure that you and your family are prepared to treat common symptoms, injuries, and emergencies. By planning ahead, you can create a well-stocked home first aid kit. Keep all of your supplies in one location so you know exactly where they are when you need them.

The following items are basic supplies. You can get most of them at a pharmacy or supermarket.

Bandages and dressings:

Home health equipment:

Medicine for cuts and injuries:

Be sure to check your kit regularly. Replace any supplies that are getting low or have expired.

Other supplies may be included in a first aid kit. This depends on the area in which you plan to spend time.

References

American Academy of Family Physicians website. What do I need in my first aid kit? familydoctor.org/what-do-i-need-in-my-first-aid-kit/. Updated June 7, 2017. Accessed February 24, 2023.

American College of Emergency Physicians website. First aid kit. www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/health--safety-tips/first-aid-kit. Accessed February 24, 2023.

Auerbach PS. First-aid kits. In: Auerbach PS, ed. Medicine for the Outdoors: The Essential Guide to First-Aid and Medical Emergencies. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:415-420.



Review Date: 1/2/2023
Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
© 1997- adam.comAll rights reserved.