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What items should a first aid box at home include?

Different people may have different preferences, but it is recommended including the following items...

(Posted on 2 November 2006)

Q1. I would like to set up a first aid box at home. What items should it include?

A1. Every house should have a first aid box. Remember, its purpose is to help you cope with acute emergencies, not to treat every minor annoyance. Over-stocking can be confusing and at times dangerous. Different people may have different preferences, but it is recommended including the following items:

1. Tools
   • Small torch and extra batteries
   • Disposable gloves
   • Plastic bags
2. Equipment
   • Small scissor
   • Thermometer
   • Tweezers
   • Rubbing alcohol or antiseptic wipes
   • Sterile gauze pads (about 3X3 inches)
   • Roller gauze (3X4 inches)
   • Triangular bandages
   • Band-Aids of assorted sizes
   • Adhesive tape
   • Antiseptic ointment
3. Document
   • Emergency phone numbers: such as the doctor, the hospital, the poison information center, the police and the management office
   • First aid manual
   • Copies of important medical records and follow-up cards
   • A check-list for all items in the first aid box
4. Medicine
   Most people would include a drug for fever, such as paracetamol 500 mg tablets (adult dose). It can also be used as a painkiller. The American Heart Association has recommended patients to chew one tablet of regular aspirin (300 mg) on an impending heart attack, so it would be a good idea to include this in the box. You should only include drugs that you know about, or if they are recommended by your doctor.

Q2. How should I take care of my home first aid box?

A2. First choose a suitable container. Some drug stores may have ready made ones. Preferably the box should be made of transparent unbreakable plastic material that can be separated into compartments. It would be safer to have a child-proof opening mechanism. Otherwise, you should find a dry, shady place to keep it out of reach from small children.

Make sure that the contents are organized, and are easily seen. All drugs in the box must be clearly labeled, including the chemical name, the strength, the dose and frequency. Avoid putting liquid oral drugs in the box, especially after the bottle has been opened. Most people are stocking too many drug items at home. This is not necessary and is a frequent cause of home accidents.

You should keep a check list recording down the quantity and expiry dates of each item. The list and the contents should be checked from time to time, say, once every 3 months. It is easy to forget about the condition of the batteries in the thermometer and torch. Make sure you have spare ones in the box.

Check periodically that documents in the box such as emergency phone numbers and medical records are up to date. Take the opportunity to revise the first aid manual, too.

Q3. What should I do if any of the items expired?

A3. Don't just throw them into your kitchen bin - or children may pick them up. Make a big "expired" mark on the label and dispose them to a refuse dump where children cannot reach.

Batteries, especially rechargeable ones, may contain chemicals that can be toxic to the environment. Separate them from household wastes or, better still, have those recycled.

Please be reminded following common sense in the use of drugs:

• DO NOT take medicine unless absolutely necessary or unless it is prescribed by the doctor.
• DO NOT take medication prescribed for others. Medicine prescribed for another person may not be appropriate.
• DO NOT take prescription medicine left over from a previous illness. It may not be the appropriate medicine for the present problem.
• DO NOT take outdated or discolored medicines. They may be ineffective and even harmful to your health.
• DO NOT take any medication that is not properly labeled.

Source: Quality HealthCare

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