WELLtip: 25 Essentials Items For Your Emergency First Aid Kit

Do you have a first aid kit handy for emergencies? Does yours consist of more than a box of bandages and some dusty cotton balls? Here is a list of what everyone should have in their first aid kit! The American Red Cross recommends you have the following items in each first aid kit--that means one at home and one in each car.

• 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
• 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
• 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
• 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
• 5 antiseptic wipe packets
• 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
• 1 blanket (space blanket)
• 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
• 1 instant cold compress
• 2 pair of non latex gloves (size: large)
• 2 hydro cortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
• Scissors
• 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
• 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
• Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non glass)
• 2 triangular bandages
• Tweezers
• First aid instruction booklet
• Personal items emergency phone numbers (print out from your WELLalarm account!)
• Flashlight with working batteries (check regularly)

The Department of Homeland Security suggests adding the following items as well:

• Burn ointment to prevent infection.
• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminate.
• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.

Be sure to read your first aid instruction booklet soon after purchasing it--don't wait until you are in the midst of an emergency to consult it.

Note that the list does not contain ipecac. According to Kids Health.com, this is no longer recommended in case of poisoning. Instead, call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222 or 911.

* As with all content on this blog unless specifically noted, this post was developed based on our own expertise and extensive research utilizing sources including the American Red Cross, Department of Homeland Secuirity, and Kidshealth.com. It is a supplement not a replacement for the advice of your doctor. Remember, communication is the KEY. Never hesitate to contact your doctor with any questions!