First-aid kits are packages of medical supplies that families keep in their homes and cars in case of a medical emergency. They can be used to treat cuts, burns or other injuries that happen to a child or other family member.

First-aid kits should contain basic medicines and other supplies that can be used to provide basic care for minor wounds or illnesses or emergency medical care for more substantial injuries while waiting for professional medical help to arrive. 

Families can build their own first-aid kits by purchasing items and storing them in a waterproof bag or plastic box. Prepackaged kits also can be purchased from stores and emergency relief organizations. A first-aid manual should be kept with the kit.

Kits should be stored in a place that is easily accessible to adults and older children, but not within the reach of younger children. They should be inspected regularly and items that have been used or expired should be replaced.

Children or other family members who will be away for home from an extended period of time may want to take a travel first-aid kit along with them. A tote bag is an ideal place to store such a kit.

A first-aid kit is a store of basic medical supplies that can be used when a health problem or emergency arises with a child or anyone else in the family. First-aid kits can be used to treat cuts, burns or other injuries. These kits should be well-stocked, easily accessible and available in both a family’s home and the family cars.  

First-aid kits should contain basic medicines and cleansing supplies, as well as bandages and other tools (such as small scissors and CPR mouthpieces) that can be used to provide basic care for minor wounds or illnesses, or emergency medical care for more substantial injuries while waiting for professional medical help to arrive. 

Families are urged to keep kits that have a lot of room for supplies while also remaining easy to carry and to open. They also should be waterproof. A plastic fishing tackle box is one example of a type of container that is ideal to house a first-aid kit. Parents who do not wish to build their own kit from scratch can purchase prepackaged first-aid kits at a local store or from an emergency relief organization.

A first-aid manual should be kept with the kit. Parents are urged to read and learn this manual, and to have children do the same if they are old enough to understand it. These manuals help explain how to use the equipment and medications found in a first-aid kit.

Kits should be stored in a place that is easily accessible to adults and older children, but not within the reach of younger children. It is important to check kits at least every three months and to replace items that have been used, or that have expired or gone missing.

Parents and older children who are interested may take a first-aid class that will teach them how to treat a family member during a medical emergency. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training and lessons in how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) should be part of this instruction, which typically is offered at an emergency-services branch in the community.

Many different basic items should be included in any first-aid kit. In addition, there may be specific items that should be part of an individual family’s first-aid kit. For example, supplies associated with an epinephrine kit should be included if a household member has severe allergies. These kits also should be personalized with information about each family member’s illnesses, sensitivities to medications and contact information (e.g., phone numbers of family, physicians and local poison control offices). Medications should be kept in some packaging that is readily identifiable to avoid confusion.

It should be noted that many experts no longer recommend including syrup of ipecac in a first-aid kit. There is little evidence to suggest that using this syrup to induce vomiting will help children who have swallowed something poisonous. Instead, parents are urged to contact a poison control facility immediately.

Children or other family members who will be away from home for an extended period of time may want to take a travel first-aid kit along with them. A tote bag is an ideal place to store such a kit, which should not be stowed in luggage but taken on to a plane as carry-on luggage.

The kit should contain a list of medications that the traveler is taking, along with other basics such as over-the-counter (e.g., ibuprofen, antihistamines) and prescription medications, bandages and elastic wraps, and many other basic items that would be found in a home first-aid kit. In addition, the traveler should store items such as an extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses (as well as a copy of the patient’s prescription) in this kit. Travelers should check airline safety regulations for first-aid kit items that may be prohibited on airplanes (e.g., sharp scissors, knives).  

Preparing questions in advance can help parents and children have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Parents may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about first-aid kits:

1. How many first-aid kits should my family have?
   
   
2. How often should I replace first-aid kits?
   
   
3. I keep a first-aid kit in my car. Will heat or cold affect the kit’s contents?
   
   
4. Is there a way to tell if medications have expired if they have no expiration date?
   
   
5. Where can I buy a first-aid manual?
   
   
6. Should I buy a new first-aid manual every year or two, or do the basics of first-aid stay the same year to year?
   
   
7. How old should my children be before they have access to the kit?
   
   
8. Where can I purchase a prepackaged kit?
   
   
9. What items should be included in my traveler’s kit?
   
   
10. Can you recommend first-aid classes in my community?