Basic first aid kit supplies every home must have

An emergency is a situation in which you have to think and act fast. Start by assessing the circumstances. Shout for help if you’re in a public place. Look for any possible dangers to you or the victim, such as a live electrical wire or a fire. Seek medical assistance as quickly as possible. Dial 911, the operator, or a local emergency phone number, and keep it near every phone in your house. Don’t attempt rescue techniques, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), unless you are trained. If you have a car, be sure you know the shortest route from your home to the nearest 24-hour hospital emergency department.

Every home should have a kit of basic first aid supplies kept in a convenient location out of the reach of children. Stock it with at least the following:

• Bandages.
• Sterile gauze pads and bandages.
• Adhesive tape.
• Scissors.
• Cotton balls or absorbent cotton.
• Cotton swabs.
• Thermometer.
• Syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting.
• Antibiotic ointments.
• Sharp needle.
• Safety pins.
• Calamine lotion.

Keep a similar kit in your car or boat. You might want to add some extra items from your homes, such as a flashlight, soap, blanket, paper cups, and any special equipment that a family member with an illness may need.