Title: The Essential Home First Aid Kit: What to Include, How to Store It, and Basic First Aid for Common Home Injuries
Being prepared with a well-stocked first aid kit can make a real difference when accidents happen. A good kit isn’t just about having bandages; it’s about having the right supplies organized so you can act quickly and calmly. This guide gives you a practical shopping list, storage tips, and simple first aid steps for the most common home injuries. If someone is severely injured (heavy bleeding, trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, head injury with confusion, etc.), call emergency services right away.

What to include in a home first aid kit
Think in categories: supplies for cleaning and protecting wounds, bandages, tools, medications, comfort items, and documentation. Adapt quantities to the size of your household.
Basic home kit
- First aid manual or quick-reference card (the quick steps you can follow)
- Sterile gauze pads (4×4 inches and 2×2 inches; several each)
- Adhesive bandages in multiple sizes (a few large, several small, plus some waterproof)
- Adhesive tape (medical tape, 1 inch wide)
- Antibiotic ointment (topical antibiotic) and antiseptic wipes or solution
- Hydrocortisone cream (1%) for itching and rashes
- Burn gel or nonstick dressing for minor burns
- Disposable sterile gloves (nitrile or latex) in at least 2 pairs
- Scissors (sturdy, blunt-tip) and tweezers
- Elastic or cohesive bandages (for sprains)
- Instant cold packs (2–4)
- Warmth/heat pack (optional for comfort; not a substitute for medical care)
- Pain relievers/fever reducers (check age suitability): acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen (for adults; pediatric versions if you have children)
- Oral rehydration salts or a sports drink powder (for dehydration)
- Saline nasal spray or contact lens solution and/or sterile saline for eye irrigation
- Thermometer (digital, preferably with a fever range)
- Washable red safety pin or “triage” pin for securing bandages
- Emergency contact card with family doctor, local urgent care, poison control, and emergency numbers
- A small flashlight and extra batteries (good for nighttime needs)
- A simple, waterproof container or pouch to keep items dry and organized
- A list of allergies and medications for all household members (keep it updated)
Optional upgrades
- Additional specialty items: butterfly closures (steri-strips) for small lacerations, a suture removal kit (for trained users—not a substitute for professional care), a CPR face shield or barrier device, a blood glucose meter (if someone in the home has diabetes), and an allergy/epinephrine plan if someone has a known severe allergy (and must-have auto-injector if prescribed)
- Extra supplies for kids: kid-friendly bandages and gentle skin cleansers
- A small notebook or wipe-clean sheet to log injuries and actions taken
How to store and organize the kit
- Pick a single, accessible location: a kitchen cabinet, pantry shelf, or a dedicated closet where clutter is minimal and the kit isn’t exposed to heat or moisture.
- Choose the right container: a hard-shell tackle box, a small plastic toolkit, or a labeled first-aid chest with clear compartments. The goal is visibility and quick access.
- Separate zones or containers within the kit:
- Wounds: gauze, bandages, antiseptics, antibiotic ointment, nonstick dressings
- Tools: scissors, tweezers, safety pins, tape
- Medications and burn/relief items: pain relievers, hydrocortisone cream, burn gel
- Comfort and protection: gloves, instant cold packs, spare blankets or a small nasal saline
- Documentation and extras: emergency numbers, allergy list, thermometer
- Label clearly and keep items in their original packaging as much as possible (e.g., medicine bottles with dosage instructions).
- Check expiration dates regularly (every 3–6 months is a good rule). Replace any expired items and rotate supplies so older items are used first.
- Keep a simple inventory list on the inside of the kit lid or a small card in the box. Update whenever you add or remove items.
- Child safety: if you have young children, store the kit in a high, locked cabinet or use a childproof container and teach older kids basic safety about not touching medicines.
- Car and travel kits: it’s handy to have a smaller, separate kit for cars, workplaces, and travel, stocked with a few essentials (bandages, wipes, wipes, antiseptic, pain reliever, and a small pair of gloves).
Tailoring the kit for your household
- Families with kids: include more adhesive bandages in kid-friendly sizes, extra antiseptic wipes, a digital thermometer, and age-appropriate pain relief meds with clear dosing on the label.
- Seniors: consider larger-bandage options, extra elastic bandages, and a few enhanced wound-care items – nonstick dressings, wound-care tape with gentle adhesive.
Printable Shopping Checklist
Wound care and dressings
- [ ] Sterile gauze pads, 4×4 inches: 20
- [ ] Sterile gauze pads, 2×2 inches: 20
- [ ] Nonstick sterile dressings: 4
- [ ] Adhesive bandages, assorted sizes: 100
- [ ] Antiseptic wipes or solution: 100-count
- [ ] Antibiotic ointment (topical): 1 tube
- [ ] Hydrocortisone cream 1%: 1 tube
Bandages, tapes, and wraps
- [ ] Medical tape, 1 inch wide: 1 roll
- [ ] Elastic or cohesive bandages: 2
- [ ] Safety pins (for securing dressings): 1 small box
Tools
- [ ] Blunt-tipped scissors: 1
- [ ] Tweezers: 1
- [ ] Digital thermometer: 1
- [ ] Small flashlight with extra batteries: 1 set
- [ ] First aid manual or quick-reference card: 1
- [ ] Waterproof storage container or first-aid box: 1
- [ ] Emergency contact information card (printable): 1
- [ ] Allergy/medication list (laminated or waterproof): 1
Pain relief, antihistamines, and hydration
- [ ] Acetaminophen (adult): 1–2 bottles
- [ ] Ibuprofen (adult): 1 bottle
- [ ] Oral rehydration salts or electrolyte powder: 1 box
- [ ] Saline solution for eyes/nasal irrigation: 1 bottle
- [ ] Hydration remedy for kids (pediatric electrolyte solution) optional: 1 box
Injury care
- [ ] Instant cold packs: 4
- [ ] Warmth/heat packs (optional, for comfort): 2
- [ ] Burn gel or nonstick burn dressings: 2–4
- [ ] Butterfly closures (steri-strips) for small cuts: 1 package
- [ ] CPR barrier device or face shield (optional): 1
Kids and Seniors – Designed First Aid Items
- [ ] Kid-friendly bandages and fun shapes: 1 package
- [ ] Extra-large or easy-grip bandages for seniors: 1–2 boxes
- [ ] Pediatric dosing chart
Car and travel Kit
- [ ] Small, separate travel first aid kit: 1
- [ ] A few bandages, antiseptic wipes, small gloves, and a mini bottle of antibiotic ointment: include in travel kit
Notes
- Start with the essentials above; you can add specialty items later as needed.
- If you have children or seniors, prioritize kid-friendly bandages and age-appropriate medicines with clear dosing labels.
- Keep receipts and product labels for easy checking of expiration dates.
- Plan for rotation: mark the opened date on items like ointments or saline, and replace before they expire.
- Consider adding a small printed quick-reference sheet inside the kit lid for fast guidance.












