From fevers and rashes to scrapes and bumps — mamas never know when these emergencies will pop up. Preparing first aid kits can help us stay ahead of minor illnesses and injuries, whenever, wherever.
Here’s how you can build your kit– and where you should keep them.
First aid kit at home
Build your primary kit, or one that’s be in the medicine cabinet at home with the following tools:
- A first aid guide
- Bandages in assorted sizes
- Tape or safety pin to close wound dressings
- A small pair of medical scissors with blunt tips, for trimming bandages, tape and other materials, as well as cutting clothing away from an injury
- Antibiotic ointment to help prevent wound infection
- Antiseptic wash or wipes to sanitize your hands before treating an injury
- Instant cold compress to soothe pain and reduce swelling or bruising after a sprain or collision
- Large nonlatex gloves to protect the person administering first aid and keep the wound free of bacteria
- Digital thermometer (avoid thermometers made of glass, which can shatter)
- Tweezers which can come in handy for removing splinters, thorns, and insect stingers
- Pain relievers, antihistamine for allergic reactions, aloe gel for mild burns, antacids, cough and cold medications
- Sunscreen
- Petroleum jelly to soothe irritated skin or diaper rashes
- Insect repellant and a cream or spray to relieve insect bites
- Saline solution for eye washing or cleaning wounds
In your travel bag
Always bring a bottle of safe water with you because you’ll never know if water elsewhere is safe. You must also have travel-sized personal items like baby products, allergy or asthma prescriptions, anti-nausea meds, prenatal vitamins with you. Additionally, you must have:
- Medicine cup or dropper
- Ziplock bags for car sickness or soiled clothes
- Notepad and pen so you can write down and remember symptoms, details of an injury, or other information that can be important to doctors or paramedics if the situation requires professional assistance
- Flashlight in case your car breaks down in a dark place and so you won’t consume your phone’s battery
- Basic medical history form for each family member and copies of emergency telephone numbers, your health care providers’ information, and insurance policies
In your child’s school bag
Prepare to-go versions of the house emergency kit with fewer or pocket-sized versions of the items listed above. The smaller kits can be kept at work, your baby’s diaper bag, and the car because we never know where we’ll be when emergencies strike.
Store your emergency medical supplies in a waterproof container that you could mark with a big red “+” sign that will make it easy to spot. Lightweight plastic boxes with handles and compartments are ideal because they’re easy to carry and simple to open.
More tips:
- Keep a list of must-haves. Set a calendar reminder on your phone so you could check the kit every six months or as the medical needs of your family change. Throw away expired items and replace missing supplies.
- Your first aid kit should be kept in a cool, dry place at home, out of the reach of young children.
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- Since heat and sunlight can damage some products like medicated creams and ointments, store the kit in an area of your car that stays relatively cool.
- First aid kits are meant for minor medical emergencies. Seek professional help for serious problems like a large wound that keeps bleeding or a blow to the head, and if you believe anyone anyone needs extra treatment. It’s better to be safe than sorry. When in doubt, always get help.
- offers a number of helpful resources on child and infant first aid.
