First Aid

First Aid Checklist

Keep basic tools handy for those little emergencies.

Mom’s kisses are great, but some boo-boos need a little more care to keep infections away. A well-stocked first-aid kit may be all you need for life’s little emergencies. Keep one at home, but out of the reach of children. Store a second one in the car. And if you hike, camp, or bike, take a kit with you.

First-aid kit items:

The first-aid kit should have a first-aid guide that includes step-by-step instructions for each item.

•  Acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen

•  Adhesive bandages of different sizes. Sterile gauze pads, a roll of gauze, and tape.

•  Antibiotic ointment or spray. Antiseptic ointment or wipes.

•  Antihistamine tablets or syrup

•  Calibrated medicine spoon and dropper

•  Cold pack

•  Cotton-tipped swabs

•  Elastic wrap and closures

•  Flashlight and extra batteries

•  Hydrocortisone ointment

•  Scissors

•  Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)

•  Tweezers

Extra items for a car or boat:

•  Clean, folded sheet and blanket

•  Large flashlight. Extra batteries. Rope. Flares.

•  Protective clothing and footwear

•  Plastic bottle of water, tightly capped

Learn how to handle common injuries & wounds:

•  Rinse cuts and scrapes with cool water.

•  To stop bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure, using gauze. If blood soaks through it, add more gauze, keeping the first layer in place. Keep applying pressure until the bleeding stops.

•  Do the Heimlich maneuver for people who are choking.

•  Know CPR basics to help someone who collapsed due to cardiac arrest.

Action Step

Take a basic first-aid course for hands-on practice in giving first aid and CPR. Check with your local Red Cross, police and/or fire department to find locations and dates.

Download an offline pdf file.

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