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Home first aid kit

Published by Bupa's health information team, January 2008.

This factsheet is for people who would like information about preparing and storing first aid kits for use at home.

Over two and a half million people attend accident and emergency departments each year after an injury at home. One million of these visits involve people who have had a fall. Over 200,000 visits to emergency departments are due to accidents while doing DIY. Burns, collisions and poisoning are also common causes of injury.

Preventing injuries is better than curing them, so being aware of hazards and taking sensible precautions against them is priority. But, in the event of an accident, you can use a first aid kit at home to deal with minor injuries or to keep a serious injury stable while you seek help.

What should I include in a first aid kit for the home?
Containers for first aid kits
Ready-made kits
Storing your first aid kit
Using your first aid kit
Medicines
Training
Further information
Questions and answers
Related topics
Sources

What should I include in a first aid kit for the home?

The following list can be used as a shopping list. The quantity of each item is a guide only - the amount of each item you have will depend on the number of people in your home and the activities that you do at home.

Essential items

Ideally, the items that you should have in your first aid kit include:

first aid manual
12 to 24 individually-wrapped plasters in various sizes (fabric or waterproof)
sterile dressings, such as Melolin (for covering a wound): six medium (12cm x 12cm) and two large (18cm x 18cm) can be used, or dressings with a bandage attached
adhesive tape, such as Micropore (to hold dressings in place; it can also be used on its own on small cuts and grazes)
six triangular bandages (for use as a sling to support an injured arm or shoulder)
safety pins in a variety of sizes (for securing bandages)
two crępe bandages (to support sprains and strains, or to hold dressings in place)
sterile non-fluffy, absorbent gauze (for cleaning and drying wounds and also for covering wounds)
round-ended scissors (for cutting tape or bandages)
tweezers (for removing objects such as splinters)
vinyl gloves
antiseptic wipes (alcohol free)
emergency foil blanket
notepad and pencil
eyewash solution
a thermometer (preferably a digital one, don't use a thermometer containing mercury as this can be a hazard if damaged)
torch

Optional extras

Extra items that you may like to have in your first aid kit include:

sterile eye pads (a large wound dressing can be used instead to cover an eye)
sterile saline sachets for cleaning a wound - but clean water will do

Containers for first aid kits

Keep your first aid items in a waterproof container large enough for the contents to be arranged so that items can be found quickly when needed. A plastic container with a closely fitting lid is suitable.

It's a good idea to label the first aid box so that it can be easily recognised by anybody. The standard labelling for a first aid box is a green background with a white cross.

Ready-made kits

There are many ready made kits available that you can buy from a pharmacy or on the internet. You can also make a kit yourself, selecting the contents that you need.

There is no official standard for first aid kits within the home so they can vary. The contents you need may be different for your individual situation and its likely use. Some may not include all the items you may need. Some may contain more than you are likely to need, or even unnecessary items, such as cotton wool or alcohol wipes, which are now considered unsuitable for cleaning wounds but have other uses. You should check the contents carefully.

Storing your first aid kit

It makes sense to keep your first aid kit near to where it's most likely to be needed. It should be out of reach of children, but still readily accessible. The place should be dry and cool, so your bathroom is probably not ideal.

Using your first aid kit

Just as important as keeping a first aid kit is knowing how to use it. All adults, older children and teenagers living in the house should know where the kit is kept, what is in it and how the items are used. It's a good idea to keep a first aid manual with the kit.

Replace any used or out-of-date items immediately and check expiry dates from time to time.

Medicines

There are some medicines that can be useful to keep at home in case of minor accidents. You should keep these medicines in a separate locked medicines cabinet, out of reach of children. The medicines include:

antihistamine cream for insect bites (but not for use on broken or infected skin)
paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief (tablets for adults, liquid for children)
antihistamine tablets such as chlorpheniramine (eg Piriton), for allergic reactions

You should always follow the instructions in the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicines. Ask your pharmacist if you need advice.

Training

It's a good idea to be trained in first aid. In the UK, courses are provided by organisations like the St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross. See Further information for details.

Further information

St John Ambulance
08700 10 49 50
www.sja.org.uk
British Red Cross
0870 170 7000
www.redcross.org.uk