Be prepared. Yep, the Boy Scouts were right. It’s always a good idea to be ready for emergencies, especially ones that require some kind of medical attention. So outfit your apartment with a first aid kit that can cover you in the event of a minor cooking burn or a serious accident. First aid kits are easy to assemble and a quick trip to the drugstore will buy you a lot of peace of mind.
Why you need a first aid kit
Sure, you probably have some adhesive bandages stuck in the cabinet. Maybe a little hydrogen peroxide, too. So why bother with building a full-on first aid kit? Because you never know when a medical crisis could strike. Accidents and natural disasters happen when you least expect them and if someone in your household or a neighbor is hurt, it might be difficult to get to a doctor or hospital in time. Especially during a flood, storm or other emergency that makes travel difficult. If you have the first aid supplies at home, you can stabilize the situation until you can get proper help. Sometimes a few minutes or hours of basic first aid care can save a life.
In less dramatic situations, it’s still comforting to know that you have first aid supplies readily available to soothe a burn or stop a cut from bleeding. Being prepared with a first aid kit means you’ll feel better faster (and can get back to fixing dinner!).
The whole kit and kaboodle
Now you’re convinced you need to get your hands on a kit ASAP! There are loads of pre-made kits that you can pick up at the local drugstore or purchase online. Or you can make your own by simply stocking up on the basics. Creating a custom first aid kit also means you get to use your favorite brands of products. So grab those teddy bear adhesive strips and make your kit creative!
A lot of organizations like FEMA and the American Red Cross have great checklists for first aid supplies to keep on hand, but here are some basic ingredients of a great first aid kit:
•Adhesive bandages in various sizes
•Gauze bandages and roller bandages in various sizes
•Adhesive cloth tape
•Antiseptic wipes
•Antibiotic ointment
•Sterile eyewash or saline solution
•Scissors
•Tweezers
•Thermometer
•Aspirin or other pain-reliever
•Antihistamine
Other emergency supplies to keep on hand include:
•Bottled water
•A blanket
Once you gather up your supplies, store them in a waterproof container in a cool dry, location. Be sure to let everyone in the household know where the first kit is located, so they can get to it quickly.
Learn the basics
Bravo! You’ve got your apartment first aid kit set up and tucked away. But wait, there’s one more step to make sure you are completely prepared for the unexpected — taking a first aid class. The American Red Cross offers dozens of first aid classes from first aid basics to CPR training. In just a few hours you can get the extra knowledge you need to save a life and feel comfortable responding to any emergency you encounter.
Don’t forget the Scouts’ motto. Be prepared. You can have peace of mind knowing you’ve got your first aid kit waiting in the wings.
