If there’s one thing in common with all emergency preparedness scenarios, it’s the fact that you need to have a first-aid kit assembled.
For this week, make it a goal to get are fully stocked up with first-aid supplies for your car and your home. You don’t necessarily have to purchase a ready-made first aid kit from the store.
Sometimes, a pre-made kit is an excellent place to start. However, more often than not, you may need to customize your supplies to fit your household’s needs. A comprehensive DIY-approach will make sure you get everything you need on your list.
How to Make your DIY First-Aid Kit:
- First, choose a container or a box with a lid that can be sealed.
- It can be a storage bin, a tackle box, a toolbox, or really anything that suits your personal preference.
- Next, gather your supplies.
- After an earthquake, you will need to be able to provide immediate medical care while waiting for help to arrive. Having the right supplies on hand will make a huge difference for you. The list below is a comprehensive approach, but please feel free to take away or add to the list to suit your individual needs.
- Finally, decide on a place to store your First-Aid Kit.
- It should be somewhere that would be easily accessible during an emergency.
What You Need for your First-Aid Kit:
A container with a secure resealable lid.
A Resealable Container with a Lid
A paper copy of emergency contacts list and a basic first-aid reference manual.
Emergency Contacts and a First Aid Reference Manual
Minor Abrasion Supplies.
Band-Aids and other Wound Supplies
After you have a container and references, gather some basic supplies for minor injuries. These include band-aids (multiple sizes), an arm sling, an elastic compression bandage, medical tape, cotton swabs, gauze, dental floss, splints, 4×4 gauze pads.
Sterile Supplies.
Sterile Supplies to Prevent Infection
Next, stock up on multi-purpose sterile supplies. Hand sanitizer, N95 face mask, sterile nonlatex gloves, and gown or blanket.
Antibiotic and Wound Treatment Supplies.
Antibiotic Ointment and other Wound Treatment Supplies
Finally, to complete your injury supply section, gather antibiotic supplies. Start with rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin). We also recommend wound spray, betadine swabs, scissors, tweezers, wound closure strips, and tourniquet.
Fever and Pain Relief Medicine.
Antibiotic Ointment and other Wound Treatment Supplies
First on the medicine list are acetaminophen (such as Tylenol), Ibuprofen (adults and children), and Asprin.
A one month supply of prescribed medications and vitamins.
Prescription Medication for One Month
Cold and Cough Medicines.
Cold and Cough Medicine
Now that you’ve tackled the basics, add into your kit sinus medications. You’ll need cough syrup, cough drops, sinus medication, and a menthol inhaler stick (Vicks, for example).
Allergy and Sting Medicines.
Allergy Medicine and Sting Treatment
Next, add in a bee sting kit, allergy medication (antihistamine) for adults and children, hydrocortisone or anti-itch cream, and insect repellent.
Blood Sugar Medicine.
Glucose tablets
Indigestion and Upset Stomach Medicine.
Supplies to treat upset stomach, indigestion, and heartburn.
Anti-diarrheal and anti-gas medicines, stool softener, laxatives, indigestion and heartburn medication.
Vital Signs Supplies.
Supplies to measure vital signs.
Finally, finish your supplies with a digital Blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, and thermometer.
Ways to Save Money on your First-Aid Kit Supplies:
First of all, do not be afraid to use the generic brands to save money. Secondly, allow yourself time to get your supplies over a longer period of time. Make a shopping list of what you need, and gather your supplies in smaller trips so that you can spread the cost out over time. Finally, skip on buying a new container for your kit. Repurpose an old unused container as your new first-aid box.
Building a first-aid kit for your home is a great start for disaster readiness.
Earthquake preparedness doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. You’ll be thankful to have a first-aid kit ready to go for all of life’s unexpected emergencies.
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