Nobody wakes up in the morning expecting to deal with a medical emergency. 

Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and preparing for them is crucial. That’s where access to a reliable first-aid kit comes in handy.

Read on to find out why it’s important to have a well-stocked first aid kit at home, the essentials you need to have in your first-aid kit, and where you should store it.

Key Takeaways

• When choosing or building the right first aid kit for your home, ensuring you have all the medical essentials is critical.
  

• It’s important to check your supplies regularly and ensure everyone in your family knows how to use the components of your kit.
  

• Your first aid kit should be in a cool, dry storage space that’s easy to access in the event of an emergency.

  
  

Why Is It Essential to Have a Well-Stocked First Aid Kit at Home?

Almost three out of four people admit to having regular accidents at home, which is why 78% of all preventable injury-related deaths happen when we’re at home. 

However, a recent poll by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) found that over half of Americans are unprepared or don’t feel comfortable providing support in the event of a medical emergency.

Fortunately, a key component of prevention is having medical essentials on stand-by just in case. That’s why you need a well-stocked first-aid kit in your home.

Ashley Murry, Chief Clinical Officer at Sana Lake Recovery Centers advises:

“Having a well-stocked first aid kit is an absolute necessity, and I always advise my patients to keep one. In a way, it provides you with the first line of medical attention before any medical practitioner takes up your medical case.”

According to Jennifer Silver, dentist and owner at Macleod Trail Dental, having that first line of medical attention is particularly critical if you have children or older adults living with you. She notes:

“It allows families to respond promptly to minor injuries and illnesses, preventing them from escalating into more significant health issues. It provides a sense of security and preparedness, especially in households with children or elderly family members.”

What Are the Essentials Families Should Have in Their First Aid Kit?

If you’re planning out a basic first aid kit for a family of four, the American Red Cross recommends you include these essentials:

• Absorbent compress dressings

• Adhesive bandages

• Adhesive cloth tape 

• Antibiotic ointment 

• Antiseptic wipes 

• Aspirin

• An emergency blanket

• A breathing barrier (with a one-way valve)

• An instant cold compress

• Non Latex gloves 

• Hydrocortisone ointment 

• Sterile gauze

• A roller bandage

• An oral thermometer

• Triangular bandages 

• Tweezers

Including any relevant instructions for these items is also recommended.

If you purchase a pre-populated first aid kit, it should come with instructions. However, if you create your own kit, you must save instructions from each product and include them separately.

What Non-Essentials Should You Include in Your Home First Aid Kit?

Experts recommend that every family include the bare essentials in their household first aid kit. However, it’s also worth considering extra supplies to tailor your kit to your family’s specific medical needs.

Dr. Kevin Huffman, CEO and founder of AmBari Nutrition explains:

“When you are making up the family’s first-aid kit for the first time, you would have to make sure that the contents are tailored to your specific needs, taking into account any medical conditions or allergies of yours and your family members.

A good range of bandages and antiseptics is needed, as well as a list of emergency phone numbers that can be easily found in case of emergencies.”

In addition to an emergency contacts list, experts recommend you include items like:

• Antihistamines

• A juice box or glucose tablets if you have a family member with diabetes

• Sterile eyewash solution or eye drops

• A flashlight with batteries

• Safety pins

• Distilled water

Above all else, keeping a list of what’s in your household first aid kit is critical.

This ensures you know what you have access to and what medical supplies you may need to obtain if a family member develops a new medical issue.

“Check your supplies regularly to make sure you haven’t been holding on to expired gear or items that are running low, and make sure that everyone in your family knows how to use the components of your kit,” advises Dr. Huffman.

He continues:

“Preparedness — the first step to protecting your family and yourself — means tossing anything that’s expired, keeping your supplies stocked, and giving everyone a demonstration in how to use everything you’ve got.”

That’s where a tool like Trustworthy can offer some much-needed support.

Trustworthy is a Family Operating System® designed to collect and protect all your essential family documents. It enables you to upload your documents, create digital copies, and then share secure, controlled access with everyone who needs the information.

For example, you could upload an inventory list for your household first aid kit, the kit instructions, and medical emergency numbers and then share with each member of your family. This ensures everyone always knows what’s in your kit and how to use it in the event of an emergency.

Learn more about Trustworthy’s wide range of features to discover how it can help prepare your family for anything.

What's the Best Place to Store a First Aid Kit in Your Home?

Dr. Huffman advises:

“Your first aid supplies should be easy to access in a central location such as the kitchen or main living area, where all your family members can find it for use in an emergency.

The kit should be kept out of reach of young children to avoid accidental use while guaranteeing all other members of your household are aware of its location to access it swiftly, especially in critical situations.”

It’s also important to consider the conditions of the rooms or cupboards where you’re storing your kit.

Dr. Silver adds:

“Avoid storing it in areas prone to extreme temperatures or humidity. This can affect the integrity of certain medical supplies.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Choose a Good First Aid Kit?

Choose a first aid kit that includes all the expert-recommended essentials. If your family members have specific medical needs, ensure you include any supplementary supplies to support them in an emergency.

What Should Be in a Domestic First Aid Kit?

As a bare minimum, your first aid kit should include bandages and dressings, antiseptic ointment, antibiotic ointment, cloth tape, gauze, gloves, aspirin, and tweezers.

What Makes the Perfect First Aid Kit?

The perfect first aid kit has all the bare essentials you may need in case of an emergency and any additional supplies specific to your family’s medical needs. All supplies should always be well-stocked.