About the Importance of First Aid Kits

Accidents and injuries can occur at home, in the workplace, while in the car or while participating in sporting events. Being prepared for emergency situations and being able to administer first aid when needed can make a major difference in how severe an injury is able to become before proper medical treatment is given. There are slight differences between the contents of first aid kits that are designed for different situations, but there are some basic considerations that should be kept in mind when stocking and keeping any first aid kit.

First Aid Kit Basics

• First aid is the art of providing preliminary medical attention in order to stabilize an injury until any additional medical attention that might be needed can be administered. Basic items such as antibiotic ointment, adhesive and non-adhesive bandages, burn cream, gloves and breathing barriers should be included to help you be prepared for any emergency. A first aid manual should also be included with all first aid kits, and everyone who has access to the kit should be familiar with the manual's contents. The contents should be checked regularly both to make sure that the kit is properly stocked and to ensure that no ointments or other items have passed their expiration dates. Inspect all first aid kits at least two to four times per year to make sure that the kit's supplies will be ready for use if they should be needed.

Home First Aid Kits

• Home first aid kits should be stored in an area easily accessed by all members of the family. Commonly-used items such as bandages and aspirin tablets should be replaced regularly to ensure that they are available when needed. More than one first aid kit may be desired at home; a small one that can be easily taken outdoors when needed, and a larger kit that contains additional supplies that can be used to treat more severe injuries.

Automotive First Aid Kits

• Due to the potential severity of automotive accidents, automotive first aid kits should contain materials necessary to treat sprains, cuts and broken bones. Cold compresses can be useful, as can instant-heat pads. Thermal blankets are also an important addition, as severe injuries can lead to shock and it is important to keep shock victims as warm as possible. Keep automotive first aid kits in a portion of the car or truck that is easily accessible and keep them away from oil or other automotive fluids and chemicals that could accidentally leak and contaminate the first aid kit's contents.

Workplace and Event First Aid Kits

• Not only is it important to have a well-stocked first aid kit at any workplace or public event, but it is also generally required either by insurance companies or by law. Workplaces or events where certain types of injuries are more likely than others should make sure that the kit contains any necessary items for the treatment of those injuries, but whoever is in charge of stocking the first aid kit should make sure that more general first aid items aren't accidentally left out as a result of this focus. Workplace first aid kits should be inspected at least four times per year, though some workplaces may choose to have their first aid kits inspected monthly or bi-monthly to make sure that the kit will be ready if needed.

Sports First Aid Kits

• As sports injuries can happen quickly and can range from merely painful to quite severe, a sports first aid kit should be geared toward providing all levels of treatment as quickly as possible. The first aid kit should be easily transportable so that it can be taken to injured athletes without having to move them, and should contain everything from cold compresses and anti-inflammatory pain killers such as ibuprofen to splints for sprained joints or broken bones. A first aid manual specific to sports injuries should be included in the first aid kit, and anyone who uses the kit should be very familiar with the manual so as to prevent misdiagnosis and mistreatment of common sports injuries.

Other Specialized First Aid Kits

• Additional first aid kits can be created based on local conditions in the area where they might be used. Areas that are prone to wildfire might prompt a first aid kit designed around the concept of treating burns, while areas that are likely to have earthquakes might have a kit that is designed to treat common earthquake-related injuries. Specialized and general first aid kits may also be included in survival kits that contain food, fresh water, and other nonperishable goods that can be essential after natural disasters. The contents of these survival kits should be checked and rotated out just like the contents of the first aid kits in order to ensure maximum effectiveness should they be needed.