First Aid Kits

1. First Aid Essentials Slideshow
2. Take the Trauma and First Aid Quiz
3. Surprising Migraine Triggers Slideshow

• Be Prepared for a Medical Emergency
• Home and Travel First Aid Kits
• How to Make a First Aid Kit
• How to Use a First Aid Kit
• What to Put in Your Household Kit
• What to Put in Your Travel Kit

• Almost everyone will need to use a first aid kit at some time. Take the time to prepare a kit to have available for home and travel.
• First aid kits may be basic or comprehensive. What you need depends on your medical training and how far you are from professional medical help.
• Ready-made first aid kits are commercially available from chain stores or outdoor retailers. But you can make a simple and inexpensive first aid kit yourself.
• Be prepared to take enough medication to last at least as long as you may be traveling (or for a few days more in case of delays).
• Carry your medical information with you.
• In case of emergencies when first aid is only the beginning of care, people should be prepared to give emergency personnel all of their current and past medical history (see below for methods).

Home first aid kits are usually used for treating these types of minor traumatic injuries:

• Burns
• Cuts
• Abrasions (scrapes)
• Stings
• Splinters
• Sprains
• Strains

• Fever
• Nasal congestion
• Cough
• Sore throat

• Cuts
• Mild pain
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Skin problems
• Allergies

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