Tuesday, June 19, 2012
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Anatomy of a First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first aid kit is a handy thing to have.
To be prepared
for
emergencies, keep a
first aid kit
in your home
and another
in your car.
Carry a first
aid kit with
you or know
where you
can find one
while you are
hiking, biking,
camping
or boating.
Learn the location
of first
aid kits where
you work.
Whether you
buy a first aid
kit at a drug store
or put one together
yourself, make sure it
has all the items you may
need, such as medications
and emergency phone numbers,
advises the American
Red Cross. Check the kit
regularly. Make sure the
flashlight batteries work.
Check expiration dates and
replace any used or out-of-date
contents. Store your
first aid kit in a secure place
out of the reach of young
children.
The American Red
Cross recommends that all
first aid kits for a family of
four include:
- 2 absorbent compress
dressings (5x9 inches)
- 25 adhesive bandages
(assorted sizes)
- 1 adhesive cloth tape (10
yards x 1 inch)
- 5 antibiotic ointment
packs (approximately 1
gram)
- 5 antiseptic wipe packets
- 2 packets of aspirin (81
mg each)
- 1 blanket (space blanket)
- 1 breathing barrier (with
one-way valve)
- 1 instant cold compress
- 2 pair of non-latex gloves
(size: large)
- 2 hydrocortisone ointment
packets (approximately
1 gram each)
- Scissors
- 1 roller bandage (3 inches
wide)
- 1 roller bandage (4 inches
wide)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (3x3
inches)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (4x4
inches)
- Oral thermometer (non-mercury/ non-glass)
- 2 triangular bandages
- Tweezers
- First aid instruction
booklet