Having a first aid kit is a great way to ensure that you are prepared to help, quickly, various types of accidents, such as bites, knocks, falls, burns and even bleeds.
Although the kit can be purchased ready-made in pharmacies, for about 50 reais, it can also be prepared at home and adapted to the needs of each person. For example, the kit can be prepared to help only domestic accidents, traffic accidents or small situations when going on vacation.
See in this video everything you need to have a very complete kit:
List of materials needed
The contents of the first aid box can be very varied, but the basic products and materials include:
- 1 package of 0.9% saline solution: to clean the wound; 1 antiseptic solution for wounds, such as iodized alcohol or chlorhexidine: to disinfect wounds; Sterile gazes of various sizes: to cover wounds; 3 bandages and 1 roll of tape: help to immobilize limbs or to hold compresses at the site of a wound; Disposable gloves, ideally latex free: to protect from direct contact with blood and other body fluids; 1 cotton packaging: facilitates the application of products on the edges of the wound; 1 scissors without a tip: to cut tape, gauze or bandages, for example; 1 band-aid dressing package: to cover cuts and small wounds; 1 thermometer: to measure body temperature; 1 bottle of lubricating eye drops: allows you to wash your eyes in case of contact with irritating substances, for example; Ointment for burn, such as Nebacetin or Bepantol: moisturizes the skin while relieving the burning of the burn; Paracetamol, ibuprofen or cetirizine: these are generic drugs that can be used for various types of common symptoms and problems.
The kit with these materials can be used in almost all homes, schools and workplaces, as it contains the materials needed to deal with the most common emergency situations in these types of environments. Learn what to do in the 8 most common types of home accidents.
However, the kit can still be adapted according to the needs of each situation. For example, in the case of sports, such as football or running, you can also add an anti-inflammatory or cold spray to reduce inflammation caused by muscle or joint injuries. See what to do in case of accidents in sport.
When traveling on vacation, it is also important to include an extra pack of all the medications used. In addition, remedies for diarrhea, nausea or stomach problems, and even an ointment for insect bites, can be useful.
How to choose the container
The first step in preparing the first aid kit is to correctly choose the container that will contain all the material. Ideally, it should be large enough, but easy to transport, transparent and made of hard plastic, to allow you to quickly observe what is inside and also protect the materials from damage.
However, any bag or box can be used, provided it is correctly marked on the outside with letters, indicating \ "First Aid Kit \", or a red cross, so that anyone can identify the correct container during urgent situations.
Keeping the kit up to date
While placing all the materials inside the container, it is advisable to make a list with the quantity and expiration date of each component. This way, it is easier to guarantee that all the material is replaced as soon as it is used, in addition to allowing to evaluate if there is any product that needs to be replaced because it is out of time.
Also watch the following video, and learn how to be prepared to help the 5 most common domestic accidents:
