Top TEN Items For Your First Aid Kit

This list is nice and simple. If you get these 10 items, you can feel quite prepared. To this list, I personally would add cough drops and a small bottle of water (to flush a wound).

TOP TEN ITEMS IN FIRST AID KIT
The 10 most important items to have in your first-aid kit, according to the American Red Cross.


Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
Sterile gauze pads in various sizes and cloth adhesive tape to secure them.
Latex-free disposable gloves, to protect you from bodily fluids or other matter.
Latex-free material prevents potential allergic reactions.
Tweezers.
Thermometer (the digital variety is safest).
Triple-antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin).
Antiseptic wipes.
First-aid instructions.
Topical antihistamines and aspirin
(or some other type of over-the-counter pain reliever recommended by your doctor).
A face mask to protect you from germs or bodily fluids when administering CPR.

You can also buy first-aid kits through the American Red Cross website, www.redcrossstore.org.
Your first-aid kit should include a sheet listing your family’s known medical conditions,
emergency contact numbers, and insurance information for hospitals and emergency medical services.
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Contents of a First Aid Kit

Here is one of the best articles I could find on the topic of what exactly to put in your FIRST AID KIT.

First Aid Kits: Stocking the Essentials
by Barbara Szyszkiewicz
http://www.familycorner.com/homegarden/organize/first_aid_kit.shtml

With summer fast approaching, it's time to update your first-aid kits. As a mom of three active children, I keep first-aid supplies in my home, car and purse. Everyone's needs will differ, but here are some basics that no first-aid kit should lack. Don't let the length of the lists scare you off. Most of these things are not large and can be kept in a rather small space.

Purse Kits: Mine is so small that I can fit it in a small cosmetic pouch or hard eyeglass case.
Tube of antibiotic cream
A few alcohol prep pads
Several adhesive bandages of varying sizes
Car Kits: I use a small bag that can be completely closed, such as a very small backpack or mini-duffel.
First aid guide
Laminated index card with emergency phone numbers, including doctor, hospital, and Poison Control
Adhesive bandages of varying sizes
Tube of antibiotic cream
Bug spray
Alcohol prep pads
Instant ice packs
Ace bandage
Several disposable latex gloves (in a sandwich bag)
Small bottle of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, both adult and children's formulas
Antidiarrheal medication
Antacid tablets
Antihistamine medication (Benadryl)
Gauze pads
Self-adhering roll gauze
Adhesive tape
Matches
Needles
Cotton balls (keep in a sandwich bag to keep them clean)
Large bandanna to use as a sling or to hold on a large dressing ("triangular bandage")
A few old washcloths and hand towels for quick cleanups or to act as splints (keep individually bagged)
Scissors
Oral thermometer
Bar of soap
Tweezers
Safety pins
Activated charcoal for poison emergencies (consult Poison Control before using)
Small blanket
Waterless hand cleaner
Flashlight and extra batteries
Home Kits: These should be much larger. Mine is a basket on the shelf of my linen closet. Never keep first-aid supplies in the bathroom as the moisture and steam can lessen the effectiveness of some medications.

I keep all the same things as I keep in the car, PLUS:
Baking soda
Calamine lotion or other poison ivy remedy
Hydrocortisone cream
Rubbing alcohol
Hydrogen peroxide
Decongestants
Aloe vera gel for sunburns or burns
A&D ointment
Bulb syringe
Liquid bandage
Gauze pads in several sizes (at least 2X2 and 4X4)
Cotton swabs
I also like to keep a box of assorted adhesive strips, with a tube of antibiotic cream, in a kitchen cabinet. That is probably the most-used first-aid "kit" in my home!

Of course, the best component of a first-aid kit is knowledge. A short class in Basic First Aid through your local hospital or Red Cross chapter will pay off by helping you know how to react when an emergency arises. These classes also teach how to improvise equipment such as splints and stretchers.

If your child is involved in scouting, they may be able to earn credit toward a merit badge by helping you asemble your first-aid kit. A bonus: they will learn how to be prepared for emergencies. Check their scout handbooks or ask their leaders for more information.

It's a good idea to periodically check the first-aid kits, to refill them and make sure that none of the contents are past their expiration dates. When I use items in my car kit, I put the wrappers in a place where I will see them, so I can remember to restock the kit.

A well-stocked first-aid kit is something everyone should have, even though we hope we never need to use it!
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About the Author
Barbara Szyszkiewicz is Head Moderator at the FamilyCorner.com Forum Community

Focus for May - FIRST AID KITS

Hi Everyone!



I hereby begin my monthly themes which will all relate to the year's goal for our Relief Society (of the Silver Lakes Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).

Our goal for the year: Each Household Will Have 72 Hour KIts

I would like to add, though, that I may occasionally have a post with a broader vision. Our broader vision is that we should all have a year's supply of survival items such as food, clothing, health and hygiene supplies, etc. We should also be aware of the different kinds of emergency situations we may find ourselves in. I wish to educate us in what to do during different types of dangerous weather, for example. I grew up where we had frequent thunder and lightning storms and with a mother who always warned us to get off the phone (we had land lines), and not to take a bath or shower during such a storm. Here in the high desert, we rarely need this advice, but what if we do find ourselves in the midst of a raging storm with thunder and lightning? We want to be wise..and safe.

OK...back to the theme for MAY 2008.

Our 72 Hour Kits all need to contain a first aid kit. So this will be the focus of my blog postings this month: FIRST AID KITS. My former blog is still available at www.survivalmode.blog.com (I have a link in the right hand column here, you can click on that) On that blog I have laid out all the scenarios and how to prepare for them.

I will add more links as I discover them, so when you log on to this blog...check the side column to see the new links.

The picture above is to inspire you to assemble or update your FIRST AID KIT.
A First Aid Kit is a vital part
of a 72 Hour Kit. In the event
of illness or injury during a
community emergency, medical
personal will not be readily available
within the first 72 hours. Educate
yourselves on basic first aid procedures,
and assemble an adequate and personalized
First Aid Kit.

Check the "First Aid Kits" links. Have fun!
~~~Fearlessly Yours, Joan

The Art of Using Canned Food

Above are pictures of 2 excellent books about how to enjoy your canned foods.
"Apocalypse Chow" is my favorite of the 2 because the authors are so witty. Both authors (a married couple) are gourmet chefs who live down South and have very graciously survived several infamous hurricanes. Thay have it down to an art and a science and the recipes are elegant and delicious. What I love most is the fearless mindset they have, which comes from experience and preparation.

You'll Never See These Cheaper !

Del Monte Corn !
50 cents a can !
Expiration Date 8-10-2010
Vallarta! (Last day of sale is Monday, April 28...new sales start Tuesday.)

This post is a plug for canned food! And for the sale going on at Vallarta now. Canned food is ready to eat, and has water in it! 2 very good reasons to have much canned food in your home storage. I bought 36 cans and they are now snug and safe under our bed.
I have experience in the canning industry!
As a college student,during summer break, I worked for Del Monte canning company in Plover, Wisconsin. What a wonderful place to work, and at the time, we received well over minimum wage for our work. Our plant did string beans exclusively. We would come to work in the morning and there would be 5 or 6 semi-trucks heaped with freshly picked string beans. By the end of the day, they were all sorted, canned, cooked, labelled, boxed and put into train cars on the railroad tracks behind the plant, ready to be shipped to various parts of the country. Ever since working there (I was the "can pusher", the one responsible for making sure a steady stream of empty cans flowed on its track into the factory), I have been a fan of Del Monte canned vegetables. I have done periodic taste tests of various canned goods from other companies to compare them with Del Monte. Del Monte canned vegetables and fruits always taste better. I encourage you to purchase YOUR favorite canned fruits and vegetables when they are at good prices like this. Happy Shopping! ~Fearlessly yours, Joan
PS Del Monte should pay me for this good advertising, don't you think?

Useful Product

I discovered this product at our local Big 5 store.

This is a great invention. It is a portable urinal that can be used by men, women or children. It is odor free and disposable. Here is a description from the website www.traveljohn.com which carries this product and many more. (I paid $5.99 for the package pictured here. The box is about 4 inches by 5 inches and has 3 urinals in it.)
Each Bag is made of strong plastic, that is puncture resistant and contains our Revolutionary LIQSORB® polymer pouch that solidifies liquids instantly into a Leak-proof, odorless, spill-proof gel that is non-toxic and safe for disposal in any waste bin.

Now with these in my car, along with water, food, a pillow and blanket and a good book and a flashlight, and my portable transistor radio(for news and music) I feel like I can have a comfortable night in the car if I am stranded.

Welcome !

Hi! Welcome to my new blog site. It is spring and I feel new...so I had to start a new blog for the most important topic of Preparing For The Hard Times That Are Sure To Come. I like blogspot.com because it is easier for me to post photographs on it than on my last blog on the subject. Please check out my past blog because it has the basics of preparedness. I presented over 12 scenarios to prepare for and all kinds of helpful tips, etc. The old blog is still up and running at www.survivalmode.blog.com