13 Essentials for a First Aid Kit

Injuries at home can happen fast, so it's important to keep a well-stocked first aid kit on hand. Jay Baker shows you the essential supplies you'll need.

Burns, gashes, sprains, and falls, can all happen in your home, suddenly and without warning. That's why a proper first aid kit is essential in every healthy home. You can build your own kit pretty easily. The key is to keep it portable, like the small fishing tackle box or even a resealable plastic bag. Also, keep it in a central location, like the kitchen, and make sure all of your family members know right where it is. You want to start with items for cuts and burns and other skin injuries. I'll show you. There are three sizes of sterile gauze pads that you'll need. First, 3x3, then 4x4, and then the larger 5 inches x 9 inches which is a compress size. You want those in there first. Don't forget, adhesive bandages in all sizes, and also it's important to have the little cartoon characters for crying children. You'll also need adhesive cloths tape, ten yards long by 1 inch wide. It's great for holding the gauge in place, and you can also splint a broken bone with this stuff. Also, don't forget the little things like antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, and throw in some hydrocortisone cream, really helps with the itchy skin. And, toss in some aspirin, 325 milligrams is best for hard emergencies, but not at all good for children. Every family has a member that is either athletic or accident-prone. Exhibit A, so it's a good thing to have these two on hand. This is an instant cold compress. It's great for sprains, and also for bumps, and an elastic bandage. It's good to support a sprain, and it reduces swelling. Then there are a few essential tools of the tray that you'll be needing. Scissors, those are pretty self-explanatory, a plastic non-mercury oral thermometer, always comes in handy, and don't forget the tweezers. It's great for pulling out the splinters, ticks, or debris, and throw in an emergency guide. It's always nice to have a little help. Finally, it's always a good idea to go through your kit every two or three months just to check for expiration dates or to restock, but also, keep your poison control numbers and your emergency medical responders posted where everybody can see them. With tips for a healthy home, I'm Jay Baker.