EMERGENCY FIRST AID KIT

It is necessary to have a first aid kit at work, at school at home, when on holiday, when traveling, or camping. Its contents should be kept in a small portable box. Medicines are generally not included. Some medicines must be kept at a certain temperature.

A first aid kit contains the necessary materials to give emergency assistance. The further away you are from a medical center, the more complete the kit should be.

The Home First Aid Kit

Despite the many precautions taken to prevent accidents at home, they may still happen and it is better to be prepared. A first aid kit must not be confused with the medicine cupboard or where drugs are kept.

Example of a First Aid Kit

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The following advice is applicable to the first aid kit.

• The kit must be kept in a well-marked visible place that is not locked
• Everybody in the home or workplace should know where the kit is kept
• It must be kept out of reach of children
• The container for the kit should be metal or plastic
• Replace items as soon as possible when used
• The expiry dates on the items in the kit should be checked and replaced at least once a month
• It is best to keep a register and would make checking easier

Some medications require special storage specifications, (e.g. dark bottle, cool dark storage place, some medicines must be kept in the fridge and some must be kept under lock and key).

The following advice is applicable to the drugs

• Do not store too many drugs at home, it becomes difficult to keep control of them
• Check for expiry dates at least once a month and replace the expired drugs as soon as possible
• Remove unnecessary drugs that are not going to be used
• Discard drugs whose smell or color has changed - even if it is before expiry date
• Write down on each drug's container what the drug is for and the date it was bought.
• Expired medication might lose its effect and some can become toxic
• Encircle expiry date with a red pen, this will make it easy to check
• Read the leaflet that comes with the drugs carefully
• Medicines should not be kept in the bathroom or kitchen since the frequent changes in humidity or temperatures can destroy or reduce effectiveness of medication
  
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The following items should be in a home emergency kit

• Oxygenated water
• Peroxide
• Rubbing alcohol
• Mild antiseptic soap or a solution
• Hot & cold ice packs
• Crepe bandages, variety of sizes (25mm,50mm,75mm,100mm,150mm)
• Sun lotion
• After sun lotion
• Mosquito repellent
• Cotton swabs
• Sterile gauze swabs
• Sterile gauze swabs (4x4inches or 10cmx10cm) for cleaning wounds
• Sterile gauze for dressings after wounds have been washed
• Packet of wet wipes to clean your hands
• Tweezers
• Dressing scissors
• Thermometer
• Adhesive dressing tape
• Box of band-aids
• Disposable latex gloves, freely available from pharmacies
  
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Medication

• Antiseptic ointment (Betadine oint. cuts, sores)
• Analgesics (Aspirin, Paracetamol, Tylenol)
• Anti-inflammatory tabs (Ibuprofen)
• Anti-diarrhoea tabs (Immodium)
• Anti-nausea tabs (Valoid)
• Stomach cramps (Buscopan)
• Laxatives
• Antihistamine tabs for allergic reactions (Allergex, Phenergan)`

Ointments & Creams

• Cortisone ointment for insect bites (MyloCORT, Anthisan ointment/cream for allergic skin reactions, stings, and bites)
• Muscle, joint sprains, injuries (Pain & inflammation, Diclofenac, Moov)

Home remedy for muscle sprains, pain, and swelling

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You can add or remove items according to personal needs

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