Do you own a first aid kit? For those who already have this medical kit, life becomes a little less problematic. The truth is emergencies can happen at any time, and anywhere. So being ready and prepared for them is very important for the family. Having a well-equipped first aid kit is an easy but crucial part when preparing for unforeseen medical emergencies.
Yes! You can choose to buy the medical kits in the stores, pharmacies, or hospitals but it’s rather convenient to make one for yourself and for the family. For those who may not have one, we are going to show you how to build a good and efficient first aid kit.
Table of Contents
How to Make a Homemade First Aid Kit
- Choose a good container
- Stock the first aid kit
- Teach your family on the uses of the first aid kit
- Make the kit easily accessible
- Always keep your kit up to date
1. Choose A Good Container
While choosing a container, there are two options. One, you can buy one that is pre-filled, meaning that it contains some few types of equipment. Second, you can purchase an empty first aid container. But your home definitely has a good medical container and all you need to do is look.
A good pick is taking a large sized, translucent, water-resistant, flexible plastic container. It should be closed using a latch-top lid or even a zipper closure. Why? Well, this is to make the tools inside easily seen for proper identification.
2. Stocking The First Aid Kit
When it comes to stocking the medical kit, great caution is required. To properly equip your first aid kit, the first step is to have different types of bandages. You may experience minor cuts, blisters, and scrapes, especially while working in the garden. For example, when harvesting and storing radishes and other plants may cause you to get a lot of blisters.
The next step is to add the basic medical tools such as small scissors, some tweezers, two pairs of latex gloves, cotton swabs and balls, and a good hand sanitizer. There are also some additional tools which we recommend you should add. They include eye protection equipment, some duct tape, petroleum jelly, sewing needles, and safety pins.
The last item to include is medications such as antacids, laxatives, calamine lotion, and Aloe Vera gel. Remember to put these in a separate section from your tools and bandages. They should also be clearly marked. Also check the expiration date as often as you can.
3. Teach Your Family How To Use The First Aid Kit
Now that you have chosen a right container and gone on to equip your first aid kit, what should you do next? The answer is simple – educate and teach those that it’s intended to serve. Such are family members including adults and children, and visiting friends and relatives.
For the safety of the young children who shouldn’t use the tools in the kit, here is what you should do – teach them of its location, so that they may direct a visitor, babysitter or relative. For the adults, show them how to retrieve and use the tools in the first aid kit.
4. Make The Kit Easily Accessible
Establish a clearly defined and consistent spot for your first aid kit. The location should also be visible and out of the reach of young children. Make sure that the small children know where to find the medical kit but put it far from their reach, preferably on a high shelf.
5. Keep Your Kit Fully Updated
Since tragedy may come up without you knowing, it’s important to make sure that nothing is missing from the kit! No one wants to open a first aid kit and find expired medicines or no bandages. Always keep a record of the expiration dates and the supply amounts constantly.
Conclusion
A homemade first aid kit may end up saving you money, time and even your own life or that of a close relative. You may get injured while working around your house or garden, for example, servicing your riding lawn mower and get cut by the blade, or you cut yourself while preparing a nutritious vegetable salad with fresh ingredients from your organic garden. Injuries around the house are bound to happen and having a first aid kit will definitely come in handy to ease down the situation before seeking further medical attention!
If you’re looking to build your own kit, you can now see the process is rather easy! We hope that you have at least learned something. For those who own a homemade medical kit, how much has been of use? Has it met your expectations?
Leave a Reply