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Life happens and this kit will help you be prepared for everything from soothing a simple headache to a applying pressure to a wound as you wait for an ambulance. If you do keep your first aid kit separate from your medicines, keep a copy of the emergency information sheet in both locations. Jaylyn Pruitt has a Master of Library and Information Science with a focus on health information.
The personalization of the first aid kit and adding your home address are also great ideas. The article mentions that family, coworkers, friends, and public bystanders are often the first on a scene during a medical emergency and that is even more reason that everyone should have basic first aid knowledge. In addition to the great tips mentioned, I would also advise ensuring that everyone in the household knows the location of the first-aid kit, how to use the contents within it, and when to call emergency services. We tested dozens of the top-rated first aid kits in The Lab, our 7,000-square-foot testing space in New York City. Each tester was tasked with opening their assigned kit and finding specific items in a timed trial designed to mimic the pressure and timing constraints under which people must react in an emergency. We evaluated each kit for included products, ease of use, organization, quality, and overall value.
First Aid Only SmartCompliance 245 Piece First Aid Kit
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment. You'll also want to be able to separate items by type within the kit so you can find them easily. Labeled zip-close bags are a good option for a non-rigid container especially.
Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Go through the kit semi-annually to check the contents and expiration dates of the products; replace them as needed. Even for home kits, keeping a small stock of personalized medical supplies — a bee sting kit, for example — can prove useful if your medicine cabinet supply happens to be depleted. You want anyone who retrieves the kit to immediately know what it includes and does not include, and that items are ready-to-use. Basically, if it is roomy, easily-accessible, portable, and at least somewhat water resistant, it can make a decent first aid kit container.
The 8 Best First Aid Kits of 2022
Even though there aren’t any spacers or really any organizational elements to this kit (it’s essentially a big lunch box), it was actually easier to find what we wanted than many other kits. Since nearly every item is included in its own separate box, there aren’t a hundred small pieces floating around needing to be organized into sleeves or pouches. When you’re finished with the bandages, or Neosporin, or gauze, you simply put the rest back in its box and toss it back in the kit. While the doctors we spoke to had their own suggestions for how many of each supply you should stock in a first aid kit, they agreed that it really depends on your situation.
We interviewed and consulted with several experts in the first aid field, including Pellegrino. Pellegrino helped inform us as to the essential items that should be included in a first aid kit as well as other factors to keep in mind when choosing one. We cross-checked each of our kits with his recommendations, noting which items were missing or of poor quality.
The 7 Best First Aid Kits of 2022, Tested and Reviewed
In this case, you may not have access to a hospital or ambulance for some time, making an effective first aid kit even more important to have on hand. The durability, usability and variety provided by this kit make it just as useful in your cupboard as a go-to home first aid kit as it would in the trunk of your car or backpack on a camping trip. An easy-to-use ring-binder-style design, high-quality products and all the essentials recommended by the Red Cross means you'll be sure to have everything you need and be able to find it when you need it.
It also includes a nice supply of bandage types and sizes as well as extra-large sterile trauma pads and conforming gauze rolls, essential for minimizing blood loss during serious emergencies. A pair of triangular bandages and safety pins are also convenient for putting together a makeshift sling. Two pairs of gloves was a nice perk as well, as most kits provide only a single set. We were surprised to see that the only medication provided in this kit was a single aspirin packet, whereas almost every other kit provided at least an additional supply of ibuprofen or acetaminophen. The case itself didn’t feel especially durable, though, and I nearly snapped off a hinge clip the first time I tried to open it. This kit probably isn’t for the inexperienced, but if you have the proper training and are confident using professional medical instruments, it could be a good fit.
How We Rated the First Aid Kits
I have my emergency information sheet posted inside the cabinet door. Hoffman also suggests reviewing first aid kits at least once yearly to ensure a good stock of supplies and that things like medications or specialized equipment have not passed their expiration date. We also like that the case is a hard plastic, making it easy to open with one hand and keep organized for use on short notice. Accidents happen—big and small—so it’s always a good idea to keep a first aid kit on hand. Whether it’s a burn in the kitchen at home or a run-in with poison ivy during a hike, a well-stocked kit can help heal most injuries or serve as a stopgap until you can make it to a doctor.
At Easy Care First Aid®, we provide you with a comprehensive assortment of quality items to treat the most common injuries, in the right quantities, at a great price. EVERLIT’s Survival First Aid Kit is geared toward hikers, with a kit that includes standard first aid supplies like bandages and alcohol pads, but also includes a flashlight, fire starter, and an 11-in-1 pocket tool. They're all of the supplies that Dr. Woody called out as necessities for outdoor survival.
If you don't have duct tape, the Scouts can just write the words directly onto their container like I did on the eyeglasses case. CPR Wraps are an excellent addition to your home or pack first aid kits! Generously provided byCPR Wrap®, the cards are a great way to help Scouts remember what to do in an emergency. While they're learning these things, the Scouts also need to put together a simple Cub Scout first aid kit.
However, most customers today are aware that reputable websites like ours, which focus on offering product evaluations and guidance, might be more helpful. I have been wanting to have a first aid kit for home/auto/hiking but have never been happy with what I find as pre-packaged. If you have a family member with a severe allergy, include antihistamine medicine and an epinephrine injector. Dr. San Miguel recommends throwing on a pair of gloves “any time you are dealing with blood or another bodily fluid” to lower the risk of transmission of certain diseases. Based on our testing, here are the best first aid kits available online. They may deteriorate after time, someone could be allergic.
You don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere without food! Make sure you have non-perishable foods stored in your car to keep you nourished during an emergency situation. Useful when you’re alone and need to remove dirt from your eye and can also double as a signaling tool. ✓Knee and Elbow Bandages - To protect kids knees from bumps, wounds and bruises. Lessen your kid’s anxiety of his or her wound with cute, cartoon bandages.
Tear or cut two small strips of the red duct tape, and apply to your container to make a cross. For the eyeglasses case, you might just want to write "First Aid" directly onto the case with the Sharpie. Start by having the Scouts put some small strips of red duct tape in the shape of a cross on their container like I did for the Altoid tin and the soap dish. Then have them write “First Aid” on the tape with the Sharpie. Another factor that influences people’s decision-making while purchasing home first aid kits is the color.
She has interviewed dozens of experts, reviewed numerous research studies, and tested many products to deliver well-researched product reviews and roundups. She aims to help readers make more informed decisions about their health and well-being. No one wants to fetch a first aid kit and find the bandage box empty or the pain relievers expired. Keep track of supply amounts and expiration dates regularly.You’ve probably heard that you should check / replace the batteries in your smoke detectors when Daylight Saving Time begins and ends in the Spring and Fall.
