Safety First

A well-stocked first aid kit is a handy thing to have. To be prepared for emergencies keep a first aid kit in your home and in your car, carry a first aid kit with you or know where you can find one, know the location of first aid kits where you work. First aid kits come in many shapes and sizes. Some kits are designed for specific activities, such as hiking, camping or boating. Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need; include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest, check the kit regularly, make sure the flashlight batteries work, check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents.

My first aid kits include:

bandages	large size bandages	adhesive tape
assorted sterile gauze pads	elastic bandage	gauze roll
sterile cotton-tipped swabs	Q-tips	pocket knife
scissors	tweezers	nail clippers
antiseptic spray	ammonia inhalant	itch relief spray
aloe gel	Sudaphed	burn cream
alcohol prep pads	pain reliever	chapstick
non latex medical gloves	hand sanitizer	instant cold pack
eye lubrication	antacids	Loperamide
hemostatic powder	glow sticks

Other useful things to have would be: sterile eyewash or saline, a blanket, first aid manual, antihistamine to treat allergies and swelling, decongestant, anti-nausea medicine, thermometer, tourniquet, suture kit, or bismuth subsalicylate.