First-Aid Essentials

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Keep the following first aid supplies in the household to treat unexpected injuries.

Cuts and Abrasions

  • Adhesive bandages (Band-Aids) of various sizes
  • Roll of adhesive tape
  • Sterile dressings (esp. 4”x 4” gauze pads)
  • Roll of 4” gauze (to hold dressings)
  • Pair of blunt-end scissors

Eye Injuries

  • Prepared eyewash and eye cup

Burns (minor)

  • Burn ointment or spray

Skin Problems

  • Hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion (itches & rashes)
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Antifungal powder or spray for athlete’s foot
  • Sunscreen and sunburn spray for relief
  • Insect repellent

Poison (swallowed)

  • Syrup of ipecac (to induce vomiting, after consulting physician or poison-control center)
  • Activated charcoal (to absorb poisons that shouldn’t be regurgitated)
  • Epsom salts (to speed excretion of poison)

Heat Exhaustion

  • Sodium bicarbonate (mix a pinch with 1/4 teaspoon salt in quart of water, and drink)

Pain Relief

  • Aspirin or other over-the-counter pain reliever

Miscellaneous

  • Surgical tweezers for removing splinters
  • Cotton balls
  • Elastic bandage for sprains
  • Ice bag to reduce swellings
  • Hot-water bottle and heating pad for aches and pains
  • Aspirin and/or acetaminophen for pain relief and fever reduction
  • Thermometer
  • Sodium bicarbonate for bee, ant, and wasp stings
About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann