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First Aid Kits & Other Emergency Must-Haves

By April 6, 2022No Comments

First Aid Kits & Other Emergency Must-Haves

First aid kits are essential for when illnesses, injuries, and emergencies strike. These are tools and materials you can use to give a sick or injured person first aid treatment. Hence, it’s important to keep a kit at home and in your car to keep your family safe.

You can choose to make your first-aid kit by stocking it with things you’ll need to treat common injuries and illnesses at home. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-made kits online or at local drug stores. Additionally, you should also have a preparedness kit.

Below are the first aid kit and emergency preparedness supplies you’ll need at home and on the go.

Home First Aid & Exigency Kits

When preparing your home first aid kits, consider your family’s specific needs and stock the right items. For example, you will need to treat cuts, burns, stings, sprains, scrapes, strains, and splinters if you have kids. You could also stock a separate travel kit in preparedness for allergies, sore throats, coughs, headaches, nasal congestion, and minor aches.

The American Red Cross has a comprehensive list of first-aid kit supplies for families. It includes:

  • Absorbent compress dressings
  • Bandages
  • Antibiotics
  • Antiseptic wipe packets
  • Masks
  • Scissors
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Thermometer
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • First-aid guide
  • Medications such as ibuprofen, anti-diarrhea, aspirin, antacids, laxatives, antihistamine, acetaminophen, and an EpiPen

Car First Aid & Emergency Kits

You can choose to stock your car’s first aid kits to treat injuries and illnesses based on your activities, such as hiking, camping, or swimming. If you are on the road, always take shelter in your car during a challenging situation or if you get stranded due to ice, heavy snow, or bad weather, and there is no safe shelter nearby.

Your car exigency kit should include jumper cables, flares, reflective triangle, ice scraper, map, blankets, cell phone with charger and an extra battery pack, feminine products, flashlight, toilet paper, first aid kit, bottled water, and snacks. Additionally, you can use your car kit for your trailer, mobile home, boat, or vacation home or keep separate kits in all these locations.

Emergency Preparedness Kits

In addition to illness and injuries, it’s best to prepare for power outages and natural disasters. These kits should hold enough food, water, and essential supplies to last 72 hours. Keep your preparedness kit in a cool, dry place and seal it tight.

Supplies include non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, drinking water, first-aid kit, flares, whistle, cash, hand-cranked radio, dust masks, baby supplies, matches, maps, blankets, and a cell phone with chargers and backup batteries.

Have an Exigency Plan and Know Your Nearest ER

On top of stocking your home, car, and office with first-aid kits and exigency supplies, it’s also essential to have a plan in place to prepare your family. For example, give your children emergency contacts and have a plan for power outages, fires, or natural disasters.

Additionally, know where the nearest ER is if you need medical services. You could drive with your family to identify different routes and find the fastest. The ER On Soncy is a leading ER and urgent care facility in Amarillo, TX, which puts patients first. We are fully equipped with state-of-the-art in-house lab and imaging equipment and have trained and experienced physicians. Contact us today or come by and meet our friendly staff.