7 Must-Haves For Your First-Aid Kit At Home

7 Must-Haves For Your First-Aid Kit At Home : According to TN Govt, a significant number of deaths could be prevented if only the right measures were taken at the right time; statistics reveal that in Tennessee, the majority of preventable deaths are because of external causes, like fall-related injuries, not medical reasons.

In Clarksville, Tennessee, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children and adolescents. First-aid knowledge and access to first-aid equipment are both critical in such situations. First aid kits are a must, even in the confines of your home.

No matter how full-proof your home is, injuries are inevitable, especially if you have kids. After all, no pain, no gain right? Yes, falls and injuries shouldn’t worry you too much; but they also should – at least enough to prepare you for an emergency.

It also isn’t just about having kids; anyone can need emergency first-aid assistance at any time before professional help can be sought. Therefore, a first-aid kit is a must-have in every home.

You don’t want to scramble around for gauze or an ointment in an emergency; a first-aid kit helps keep everything on hand and lets you keep track of supplies so you don’t run out of stock. If you haven’t yet made one for your home, it is about time you do.

The following are some first-aid essentials you should have in your kit:

Pain relievers

Pain relievers are one of the most important things you must have in your first-aid kit. You can easily get over-the-counter pain relievers – like ibuprofen or acetaminophen – from any Clarksville family pharmacy.

Pain relievers can broadly be categorized into three main subgroups;
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – are used mainly to reduce fever and relieve pain. These include Advil and Motrin for aches, pain, and fever, Aleve, a strong pain reliever, and Aspirin.
- Acetaminophen – popularly called Tylenol – for its anti-inflammatory effect. It is useful for dealing with swelling or redness due to an injury.
- Topical anesthetics – like Benzocaine or Lidocaine that are applied on the body for pain relief and numbing.
  Make sure you also have pain relievers suitable for children – infant paracetamol and ibuprofen are safest for use by children. Aspirin shouldn’t be administered to anyone under the age of 16.
Antiseptics

When someone gets wounded, the first thing to do is disinfect the wound to prevent infections. Any delay or ignorance can cause serious complications, especially if the injury happens on a contaminated surface like the pavement or road.

Your first aid kit must have hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soap, and antibiotic ointment. When dealing with an injury, wash your hands properly; then apply hydrogen peroxide, available as antiseptic wipes or as a liquid solution.

A good alternative to hydrogen peroxide for children is Bactine, which doesn’t sting. Strong antiseptics should also not be used for open wounds because they can lead to tissue damage; yes, they will disinfect the surrounding skin but will irritate the wound and make it take longer to heal.
Bandages and gauze

Wounds, cuts, scrapes, lacerations, and abrasions must be immediately covered with sterile or antiseptic bandages. Stock up with roller bandages, crepe bandages, non-elastic bandages, adhesive bandage tape, and gauze pads.

Crepe bandages are elastic and can hold together an open wound, keep wound dressing in place, give support, and apply pressure. Non-elastic bandages are used to restrict movement or hold splints in place.
Over-the-counter medicines

An emergency should certainly not be taken lightly, but visiting the doctor is not always necessary. Over-the-counter medicines are helpful for many complaints – from headaches to stomach aches and inflammation.

Keep your first-aid kit stocked with antihistamines for allergic reactions, cold medication, laxatives, loperamide, antacids for stomach problems, and throat lozenges. Antihistamines are necessary if you or anyone at your home is prone to seasonal allergies, sneezing, runny nose, or itching.
Prescription medication

Your first-aid kit should be stocked with any prescription medication you or any family member takes, enough to last at least a week. You never know when an emergency strikes – like a hurricane, blizzard, or flood – and you are stranded in your home.

Not having prescription medication at hand can cause serious complications. Commonly prescribed medicines in the United States include Zestril for blood pressure, Synthroid as a thyroxine supplement, Lipitor for high cholesterol, Glucophage for diabetes, and amlodipine for high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and chronic stable angina.

If you have any chronic condition, poor management can have terrible consequences, and spare prescription medications are important.
Medical tools

The following medical tools are must-haves in your first-aid kit:
- A thermometer; any fluctuation in temperature above or below the normal can indicate an internal problem. A high temperature should alert you to the need for a visit to the doctor.
- Tweezers to pull out any splinters that get into the skin.
- Blunt-tip scissors for cutting bandages and gauze.
- Splints to hold joints or bones in place until you get professional assistance. A splint is an immovable and rigid material meant to immobilize any injured body part.
Warm and cold compresses

A warm compress is needed when you need to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow to ease muscle and tendon soreness, loosen tight muscles, and speed up healing.

Warm compresses are used for problems like a stiff neck, tension headaches, earaches, toothaches, sinus congestion, back pain, muscle injury, and menstrual cramps.

A warm compress can be applied using an electric heating pad, a washcloth that you can soak in hot water, a gel pack to heat in the microwave, or simply a hot water bottle.

On the contrary, a cold compress is used when you want to lower blood flow by contracting vessels. To distinguish when you need to use a warm vs. cold compress, remember that whenever there is inflammation or swelling, you need a cold compress, not a hot one.

Cold compresses should be used immediately after injury or inflammation. Your first-aid kid needs an instant chemical cold compress that activates when squeezed. You can also make a cold compress with ice cubes wrapped in a plastic bag or washcloth, a pack of frozen vegetables, or a gel pack that you can freeze.

Conclusion

You never know when you need immediate medical attention; it is better to be safe than sorry. A first-aid kit is a lifesaver in many situations, and your home first-aid kit should always be fully stocked.

Some essentials for your kit include pain relievers, antiseptics, bandages, over-the-counter medicines, prescription medicines, medical tools, and an instant warm and cool compress.

With the right first-aid assistance, many major and minor injuries can be prevented from escalating.