Minor accidents happen in every home: a cut finger in the kitchen, a grazed knee in the garden or a twisted ankle on the stairs. Having a well-organised first aid kit means you can deal with small injuries quickly and calmly. You can buy a ready-made kit or build your own.
The essentials
- Plasters in assorted sizes, including some waterproof ones
- Sterile gauze dressings in small, medium and large sizes
- Non-adherent wound dressings
- Conforming bandages to hold dressings in place
- A crepe or elastic support bandage
- At least two triangular bandages
- Adhesive medical tape
- Safety pins
- Disposable gloves
- Sterile eye dressings and eyewash
- Saline or sterile water for cleaning wounds
- Tweezers
- Blunt-ended scissors
- A digital thermometer
Useful extras
- Instant cold packs
- Blister plasters
- Foil emergency blanket
- Tubular bandage in a couple of sizes
- Antiseptic wipes
- A first aid guide or card
- A list of emergency numbers, including your GP surgery
Learn about the different bandage types in our guide to elastic and knitted bandages.
Medicines
Many households keep basic medicines alongside their first aid kit. Store all medicines out of reach of children, keep them in their original packaging with their leaflets, and check expiry dates regularly. A pharmacist can advise on what is appropriate for your household.
Where to keep your kit
- Somewhere cool, dry and easy to reach for adults, but out of reach of children.
- Make sure everyone in the home knows where it is.
- Consider a smaller kit for the car and another for sports bags or days out.
Keeping your kit up to date
- Check the contents every few months.
- Replace anything used, damaged or out of date.
- Check sterile packaging is intact.
Learn first aid
Equipment is only part of the picture. A first aid course gives you the confidence to help in an emergency, including what to do if someone is unresponsive, choking or bleeding heavily. In an emergency, always call the emergency services.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a different kit for sport?
A sports kit often adds cold packs, support bandages, tape and blister care. Our guides to ankle supports and knee braces for sport may also help.
How often should I check my kit?
Every few months, and after each time you use it.
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This article is general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have an injury, a health condition or ongoing symptoms, please speak to a qualified healthcare professional.
