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How to Make a First Aid Kit

Having a first aid kit around and easily accessible to everyone is important in cases of any medical emergencies or injuries or accidents.
There are many commercially available size and types of first aid kits that you can buy at local drugstores and health care medical specialty stores or even online sites. It is recommended to have a well equipped first aid kit handy in the home, work place, vehicle and maybe a smaller portable version that you can carry in your purse or bag. Prices can vary when buying commercial kits and depending on needs some kits are better equipped than others. This article will help you organize a first aid kit and what the basic items, tools, and medications are needed to help you in any types of emergencies.

Things You'll Need

  • bandages
  • gloves
  • bulb
  • syringe
  • scissors
  • paper cups
  • medicine spoon
  • sterile dressing
  • sterile gauze
  • adhesive tape
  • butterfly bandages
  • emergency numbers
  • first aid chart
  • first aid medications
  • matches
  • face mask
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Instructions

    • 1

      A first Aid Kit is an important item to have in the home and office. To assemble your own kit the first to look for is a sturdy box or container. The size will depend on how many times you want to organize in the kit and for what purposes. For example, it is recommended to have a complete comprehensive kit for the home and for trips that will increase the risk of sustaining injuries, like camping, hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, active sporting trips. Some people like to have a smaller, portable size handy kit to carry in the glove compartment of the car or in their bag. Look for a container that is sturdy, lightweight and waterproof. A plastic container or fish tackle box make good choices. Make sure you clean the container and then write first aid kit on the cover.

    • 2

      Some important items to put in he kit is a resource book which will contain information like emergency telephone numbers (remember to include your home, work and cell numbers if this is for the home and you have kids), physicians number, local hospital numbers. Include a portable first aid kit booklet or a small summarized booklet of basic emergency protocol and procedures. These are available at most medical stores or online stores.

    • 3

      Some of the important items to include in any first aid kit will include the following:
      - several types and sizes of bandages. For example, butterfly bandages are important to include to help keep the closure of the open lesions or - cut heal quicker and for aesthetic purposes to allow the scarring to be reduced and prevent the formation ugly scarring tissues.
      - adhesive tapes
      - triangular bandages
      sterile gauze rolls, pads, cotton balls

    • 4

      - Some basic tools to include in the kit:
      - Scissors
      - matches
      - small torchlight
      - - batteries (all sizes)
      - candles
      - paper, pencil, pens
      - paper cups
      - disposable alcohol wipes, novelettes
      - electrolyte drink packs
      - instant-activated hot or ice packs
      - bulb syringe
      - medicine spoon
      - face masks
      - rubber gloves
      You can add any other items that you fell might come in handy or needed in emergency situations. Customize the kit to your needs.

    • 5

      Medications are also important items to include in the kit. Some basic over-the-counter drugs are essential in the kit.
      - aspirin
      - ibuprofen, Tylenol, acetaminophen
      - A important item for emergency allergic reaction is an epinephrine kit , like EpiPen ) which is available to buy at local pharmacies or drugstores
      - Activated charcoal
      - Sunscreen lotion
      - Insect repellant
      - Antiseptic lotion, creams , ointments
      - Antacid
      - moisturizers, calamine lotions
      - Cough medications, cold/flu medicine
      You can add other times of your choice to customize the kit. Adding some herbal remedies to the kit is also another idea to make a complete first aid kit.

    • 6

      Once you have assembled the kit make it accessibly available to everyone in the house or workplace. Place the kit in a place where it is visible to all and easy to get to. Make sure everyone know where the kit is places especially the children living in the house. Replace the kit regularly with items that have been used. Keep the kit in a dry place that is cool and not damp
      remember to discard and any items, especially medication, that have expired.

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