First Aid Kit for Your Home

After breaking my leg on a recent ski trip, I came home to realize that our medicine cabinet consisted of some Tylenol, oddly shaped band aids and an expired tube of Neosporin. Not exactly the items you want should sickness (or tragedy) strike in your home.
I searched online for some all-in-one kits, but found them really expensive and not all inclusive. However, the best site I found was First Aid Supply, so if you don't have the time to assemble one yourself, check out their huge selection.
Before listing all of the things your home first aid kit should have, let's talk some basics:

• Container- The first aid kit should be lightweight, portable and organized. Some suggestions for suitable containers include fishing tackle box, ice cooler, travel dopp kit/make-up bag. You can also use Ziploc bags to further organize the contents.
• Location- Make sure your first aid kit is in a convenient location, but out of children's reach. Some suggestions would be the top of your refrigerator, linen closet, kitchen cabinet or laundry room.
• More than Just Medicine- Your first aid kit should be more than just band-aids and aloe. Include such things as emergency contact numbers, poison control number, allergies for all family members, dates of last immunization shots, number and directions to closest emergency room and any other life saving information (CPR instructions, Heimlich maneuver, etc.).

Now that you have something and somewhere to place your home's first aid kit, below are some items that should be in it:

• Cold & Allergy Remedies (antiseptic throat lozenges, nasal decongestant spray, cold & flu medication)
• Heartburn/Stomach (anti-diarrheal, antacid tablets, Pepto-Bismol, etc.)
• General Pain Relievers (Ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.)
• Ointment/Creams (hydrocortisone cream, aloe vera, hand sanitizer, sunblock, burn gel)
• Antibiotics (amoxicillin)
• Allergy Medicine (Benadryl, EpiPen, Claritin, etc.)
• Eyes & Ears (antibiotic ear & eye drops, eye bandages, sterile eyewash, gel eyedrops, cotton swabs, earplugs)
• Insects (repellent with 50% deet, insecticide, insect bite treatment)
• Bandages (Band-aids, nonstick dressings, blister dressings, antiseptic wipes, ace bandage, steri-strips, sutures, needles and needle holders, syringes, surgical blades, triangular bandage and anesthetic)
• Tools (thermometers, scissors, flashlight, emergency/"space" blanket, instant acting cold packs and non-latex surgical gloves).

This may sound like you need a suitcase instead of a tackle box to keep all of these items, but the truth is most of these items aren't bulky and you only need limited quantities. I suggest buying travel size or small quantity for most of these items (especially the medicines because they expire). Besides, all of these items will ensure you are well prepared in case of an emergency.

Here is a link to some great books on how to administer first aid in your home:

FIRST AID BOOKS ON AMAZON