Every household needs a first aid kit. If you have kids, you probably understand the importance of this already when you go running for the box of band-aids. If your children aren’t quite to the walking stage yet, don’t worry; it will come before you even realize!

First aid components:

1) Box: large enough to hold what you need, but small enough to store in a convenient location. If you intend to have any medications inside the box itself, that location should be high and out of reach for small hands.

2) Gloves and hand sanitizer: you never know what you’ll encounter or who’s wound you may have to dress. Be safe, wash your hands, and have the sanitizer available for when soap may not be

3) Basic wound supplies: Band-Aids, 2×2 and 4×4 bandages, medical tape, a gauze wrap, an ACE bandage, a few safety pins, tweezers (for splinters), bandage scissors, thermometer (keep out of reach of children– the batteries are dangerous!)

The starter first aid kit: some basic supplies

4) Medications to consider having available (Keep out of reach of children, PLEASE!):

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) for pains and fevers, at the appropriate form (liquid, chewable or pills) for your family members

Ointment for wounds (triple antibiotic, Neosporin, etc)

Hydrocortisone cream and benadryl cream for the itchy bites

Immodium and Tums or Maalox for upset tummies

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for bee stings and allergic reactions

Zantac for the heartburn sufferer

Glucose tablets or syrup for the diabetic person

Sting relief cream

Aspirin for someone who may be having a heart attack

Some medications to consider in your first aid kit

5) Advanced first aid supplies: CPR mask or shield (if trained), head lamp (for seeing those sneaky splinters), heating pad, first aid booklet (tons of them are out there; find one that is most readable for you),

6) Important contacts: Emergency numbers, everyone’s doctor office phone number, local hospital, etc.

7) Back-up medication supply: having a couple extra days’ worth of doses for your medications may help you through a weekend if the prescription wasn’t called in on time

8) If a family member has a severe allergy (seafood, peanut, bee sting) you should have EpiPens immediately available at all times. This includes having one at school/work, one in the purse, one in the car, one in the house, and one that goes with the person for trips, visits, etc.

Keeping a smaller version of the first aid kit–with some wound supplies, some cream for wounds and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) at a minimum– is a good idea to have in your car. You never know when the scraped knee or bee sting will happen at the park, baseball game or family reunion.

Most of these supplies are quite inexpensive and available at places like your local dollar store (check expiration dates). All would be available at the local drugstore and likely many grocery stores. If you are on a tight budget, start by getting an item or two every week and work to build up your collection. You will be grateful when the need arises!