First Aid Kit at Home: An Easy Guide of What to Pack

Accidents happen! Whether the kids take a crash on their bike or your husband forgets to reapply sunscreen on your day at the beach, you can always be prepared.

In some instances, the right thing to do is call 000 straight away. However, many at-home injuries can be cured with the right first aid kit additions, basic medical equipment, some antiseptic cream, and plenty of cuddles. 

Having a first aid kit at home makes dealing with injuries or sicknesses much easier and less stressful for everyone. Plus it provides reassurance that you are equipped to handle minor burns, cuts, and sprains at home and you don’t have to rush out to the chemist the minute your little one takes a spill. 

So, without further ado, here are some first aid buys for every family … 20 things to put in your first aid kit. Hopefully, you may never have to use some of them, but, trust us, the peace of mind is worth the extra space they may take up in your cupboard. 

20 First Aid Kit Additions

1. ANTISEPTIC CREAM – This is probably the item you’ll use the most. Antiseptic cream is designed to help the healing process when it comes to scraps – a common occurrence in children. 

SOOV Cream is good for this as it’s designed to help relieve pain and contains antiseptics to prevent infection. The soft cream base also helps make it easy to apply to the skin and you only need a tiny amount to make boo-boos go bye-bye. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. 

2. PLASTERS – You should have plasters of all shapes and sizes – ones for fingers, toes, knees, etc. Pick up a few packages of the bandages with colourful characters and patterns on them as they tend to be most ‘effective’ when it comes to boo-boos. 

3. GAUZE, TAPE AND DRESSING PADS – These are for more serious scrapes and injuries where a plaster may not be enough. Always seek medical attention if this is the case. 

4. SCISSORS AND/OR TWEEZERS – For cutting the tape for wounds or pulling out splinters. 

5. BANDAGES – In addition to your typical plasters, you should also have more advanced bandages. Crepe Bandages are good to support sprains and strains (plus safety pins) and aid in compression.  Triangular Bandages can be used as a sling and also used for head injuries.  Make sure you add tape or the butterfly clips to secure.

6. ANTISEPTIC WIPES – Wiping a wound before adding antiseptic cream and a bandage will help to remove any foreign bits from a scrape. Antiseptic wipes can also be good for cleaning your hands before attending to the wound. 

7. SALINE TUBES AND SACHETS – These are used to flush out debris from the eyes or clean minor cuts and scrapes. You can also purchase sterile eye pads which make cleaning out the eyes even easier. Saline is also used for washing out wounds where an antiseptic wipe may not be enough – be sure to seek medical attention if necessary.

8. INSTANT ICE PACKS – Another important thing for strains, sprains, and burns. 

9. BURN SPRAY – In the event of sunburns, which we hope is something that doesn’t occur, especially when we’re slip, slop, slapping, a Burn Spray works wonders. Be sure to look for a spray-on application as it avoids the need for rubbing tender skin. 

SOOV’s Burn Spray is a soothing burn-numbing spray that alleviates the pain of sunburn almost immediately. My family absolutely loves it and asks for it anytime they get a minor sunburn – much more preferred than Aloe Vera (and less stinky/sticky). Always read the label and follow the directions for use. 

10. THERMOMETER – A really high fever, especially in young children, can mean a trip to the doctor or ER which is why a thermometer is a definite first aid kit essential. Thermometers range in price and accuracy. Our suggestion is to spend a little bit more on a good one as you will use it often.  

11. SALINE NASAL SPRAY – Another first aid kit addition for little kids, especially babies, is a saline nasal spray. They are handy if your little one has a cold as they help clear congestion and are easy to use for children of all ages.

12. TEETHING GEL – Teething gel is a staple for families with infants or toddlers. Make sure you’re only using a pea-sized amount and follow the directions on the label before use. 

13. REHYDRATION PACKS – Add a few of these to your first aid kit in the event of vomiting and dehydration. Trust us, if gastro strikes the household, you’ll be so lucky you have these on hand and don’t have to make a mad dash to the chemist (with your vomit bucket in tow). 

14. PAIN MEDICATION (PLUS SYRINGE) – The type of pain medication will depend on your children’s ages. 

15. RESUSCITATION MASK – In the event that you need to give CPR, having a resuscitation mask is important. It provides personal protection in the event of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. While you might not think to use this in the event a family member requires CPR, it’s handy to have if you ever need to assist a non-family member who may require urgent medical care. 

16. DISPOSABLE GLOVES – This is another important item for personal protection and to help prevent contamination. You might want to put in a few face masks too, just in case. 

17.  INSECT BITE GEL – Another common ailment in children? Bites! Bug bites and plant stings can be incredibly itchy and annoying so having an antiseptic cream for bites that soothes and relieves the pain and itchiness is a godsend.

SOOV Bite is a fast-acting cooling gel that contains lidocaine to help soothe bug and plant bites and is incredibly easy to apply. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

18. HEAT POWDER – Another handy product to have coming into summer is Prickly Heat Powder which provides relief from heat rash. A few shakes of the powder will absorb moisture and soothe heat-irritated skin. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

19. BOTTLED WATER – Add a few bottles of water to your first aid kit too. You never know when you could need clean water and not have any resources nearby. 

20. FINALLY A FIRST AID APP – While this isn’t exactly part of your first aid kit at home, it’s also a good idea to have a first aid kit app handy on your phone, such as The Red Cross First Aid app. It’s a free, comprehensive pocket guide to first aid and CPR, giving you access to the most up to date first aid information anytime, anywhere. 

How do I tell if it’s an emergency? 

A first aid kit is a family essential but it doesn’t take the place of medical care. If you are concerned about the injury someone has suffered, contact a doctor.

The following instances are also warning signs of a medical emergency where you will need to get urgent care. Remember if you are at all unsure or concerned seek medical attention

• Bleeding that will not stop
• Breathing problems (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath)
• Change in mental status (such as unusual behaviour, confusion, difficulty arousing)
• Head or spinal injury
• Chest pain
• Choking
• Coughing up or vomiting blood
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Sudden injury due to a motor vehicle accident
• Burns or smoke inhalation
• Near drowning
• Deep or large wound 
• Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body
• Sudden dizziness, weakness, or change in vision
• Swallowing a poisonous substance
• Severe abdominal pain or pressure

Call 000 and they will direct you on what to do next. 

Where to buy first aid kit essentials

Most chemists will have all first aid products on the shelves, and even first aid kits, stocked with plenty of first aid kit essentials. Kmart, Big W, Bunnings, and major retailers have them too. There are travel first aid kits, at-home first aid kits, and even first aid kits made for camping or boating.  

However, we also recommend adding a few extra items to your kit – items that are especially handy for children and to help with common injuries that kids face. When stocking or shopping for your first aid kit, check out the SOOV range in your local pharmacy. 

SOOV have been around for over 28 years and some products combine a local anaesthetic with antiseptic agents to help relieve pain and prevent skin infections. Plus, they are proudly Australian-owned and made.

So prepare for an epic summer of fun, and the occasional scrape along the way. Stock your first aid kit before the school holidays begin because trust us, you’ll be forever grateful to have everything you need in one place. Especially when the kids decide they want to race their skateboards down the steepest driveway on your street. Barefoot. Of course.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use

This is a sponsored post for Ego Pharmaceuticals.