.png "NHG Pharmacy")
Always be prepared!
Accidents can happen even in the safest environments. A well-stocked first aid box that is kept within easy reach is a must in every home.
A basic first aid kit should contain the following:
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Adhesive tape | Hold dressings in place |
| Adhesive / elastic bandages in various sizes | Cover, dress and protect wounds |
| Alcohol swabs | Clean and disinfect the skin (to skin that is not broken, up to the edges of the wound) |
| Antiseptic cream or solution | Clean and prevent infection of wounds |
| Burn ointment | Prevent infection and soothe burn wounds |
| Cotton balls | To apply medicine, clean wounds or blood |
| Eye wash solution | To wash out foreign objects or chemicals in the eye |
| Plasters | Cover wounds |
| Scissors | Cut gauze, bandages or dressings |
| Tweezers | Remove stings and other small foreign objects from the skin |
| Sodium chloride or water for injection | Clean wounds |
| Disposable latex gloves | Prevent contamination of wounds and protect from infection spread via blood or other bodily fluids |
| Safety pins | Hold bandages together |
| Triangle bandage | Support an injured arm (by making it into a sling) |
| Sterile dressings/gauze | Cover large wounds |
You may also wish to include the following supplies and medicine for common illnesses:
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hot / cold pack | Relieve muscle or join aches and swelling from sprains |
| Medicated oil | Relieve nasal congestion and dizziness or headache |
| Antiseptic hand wash | Disinfection of hands |
| Thermometer | Measure body temperature |
| Medications: Paracetamol Activated charcoal Oral rehydration salts Calamine lotion | Pain and fever Diarrhoea or food poisoning Prevent dehydration due to diarrhoea Soothe insect bites & minor skin rashes |
The contents of your first aid box will vary depending on the people in your household and their needs. Remember to check the expiry dates of the items inside the first aid box regularly and replace any expired items as soon as possible.
Set up your first aid box at home now! You can obtain first aid boxes at NHG Pharmacy or purchase firt aid items online.
Updated Jun 2023
