First aid kits: no home should be without one

Every household should have a well stocked first aid kit. Keep one in your home and one in your car. Store the kit in an accessible place but out of reach of small children. You can purchase one from organisations such as St John’s ambulance or buy the items separately from a pharmacy. Make sure that you know how to use the items and what they are for.

What should a home first aid kit contain?

• 3 x roller bandages (50mm)
• 3 x roller bandages (75mm)
• 2 x triangular bandages
• Gauze dressing: 1 dry and 1 paraffin-coated
• 1 bottle Dettol/Savlon (50ml)
• 2 x small wound dressings
• 2 x medium wound dressings
• 2 x large wound dressings
• 1 roll adhesive tape (1m x 2.5cm)
• 1 pair bandage scissors
• Safety pins
• 1 eyebath
• Tweezers
• 1 x burn dressing
• 1 tube antiseptic ointment
• 1 pair disposable gloves
• 1 mouthpiece for administering CPR
• 1 packet assorted plasters
• Paracetamol
• Calamine lotion for soothing skin irritations, sunburn and stings
• Thermometer
• Rehydration fluid such as Sorel or Rehidrat
• Measuring spoons