Your Family's First Aid Kit
Once you have little ones, it's more important than ever to have a first aid kit in the house. Some people keep a small one in the car too. That way you can deal with any minor mishaps at home and when you're out and about.
What your kit should contain
Your family first aid kit should include:
- Alcohol-free wipes – for cleaning wounds
- Sticky tape – to secure bandages
- Thermometer
- Disposable sterile gloves
- Plasters of various shapes and sizes
- Sterile gauze dressings – to cover cuts and grazes
- At least two eye dressings
- Bandages and safety pins
- Scissors – blunt-ended ones are best if you have small children around
- Tweezers – for removing splinters
- Antiseptic cream or spray – to stop minor cuts, grazes and burns getting infected
- An age-appropriate pain reliever containing paracetamol or ibuprofen, such as CALPOL® Infant Suspension or CALPROFEN® Ibuprofen Suspension – to lower fever or ease pain.
- Cough medicine, such as CALCOUGH® Infant Syrup or CALCOUGH® SIXPLUS™ (depending on your child's age)
- Eye wash and eye bath
- Calamine lotion – to help soothe minor burns and itchy irritated skin
- Pocket first aid guide.
A few things to remember
Keep your first aid kit out of children's sight and reach. Make sure it's clearly marked and, if someone else is looking after your child, let them know where it's kept. Restock when your items are depleted and check medicines regularly to make sure they are still within their use-by date.
Don't forget that other household objects can be useful when accidents happen too:
- Clingfilm – first cool a burn under cool/tepid running water for at least 15 minutes then wrap it with clingfilm to prevent infection and ease pain.
- Frozen peas – a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a clean tea towel is ideal for easing swelling and pain caused by a sprain.
Emergency first aid
If an emergency situation does come up, try to stay calm. Consider doing a first aid training course – organisations like the Red Cross run courses around the country – ask your GP or health visitor if there are any near you.
Please note this is for background information only. If you are at all concerned or in any doubt contact your GP.
Find out more:
For further information visit the NHS website