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JUNE 2021

Be prepared with a home first aid kit

Not every scraped knee or sprained wrist is an emergency, but some
injuries can become more serious if not treated swiftly at home.
That’s why a well-stocked first aid kit is the first line of defense for
both minor and major health issues.

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You can create a home first aid kit yourself, or purchase any of the kits sold at Costco. Remember to include prescribed medications and emergency phone numbers, and to check the kit regularly for expired medications. Tip: Keep a good thing going by assembling kits for specific activities — like camping or hiking — and for your car.

The American Red Cross recommends that a first aid kit for a family of four includes the following:

• 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
• 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
• 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
• 5 antibiotic ointment packets (1 gram each)
• 5 antiseptic wipe packets
• 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
• 1 emergency blanket
• 1 instant cold compress
• 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets
• (1 gram each)

• 2 pairs non-latex gloves (size L)
• 1 3-inch gauze roll (roller) bandage
• 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
• Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass)
• 2 triangular bandages
• Tweezers
• Emergency First Aid guide