How to put together a first aid kit for children: a first aid kit checklist

No matter how safety-conscious you are, when you have children running around the home, accidents do happen – so it’s important to be prepared with a fully stocked first aid kit. Learn about what should be in a first aid kit in our comprehensive first aid kit contents list and their uses. 

Making sure you regularly check your first aid kit, replenishing it with fresh stocks when required, is essential. It’s also important to keep your kit container, and its contents, clean at all times with an effective multipurpose cleaner like Handy Andy.

What is a first aid kit?

A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment used to give help to a sick or injured person. Basic first aid kit contents can vary considerably, depending on the medical knowledge of the person assembling them and what is likely to be needed in different environments. For home use, you can assemble a first aid kit suitable for children in almost any type of container. Just make sure it’s clean and waterproof, for safety reasons, and remember to check and restock it.

What to put in a child’s first aid kit**: basic first aid kit contents list**

What is in a first aid kit list suitable for home use? Use this comprehensive first aid kit list to give basic first aid to your children and other family members:

• First-aid manual and emergency phone numbers

• Different sized adhesive bandages (plasters)

• Sterile gauze pads and adhesive tape

• Cotton balls and cotton swabs

• Instant disposable cold packs

• Dressings and elastic bandages

• Antiseptic wipes & antiseptic solution

• Tweezers

• Scissors (make sure they’re sharp)

• Thermometer

• Calamine lotion

• Eyewash

• Hydrocortisone cream

• Paracetamol & ibuprofen

• Antibiotic ointment

• Burn gel

• Gloves (plastic, non-latex at least 2x pairs)

• Alcohol wipes

• Blanket

Remember:

1. Always seek medical advice and/or emergency assistance when necessary.

2. Do not use out-of-date medicines or medical products.

3. Store kits out of reach of small children.

What is in a first aid kit**: uses explained**

Your home first aid kit will come in handy in all manner of situations and may be enough to successfully treat minor injuries. For anything more serious, items in your kit can be utilised until you reach the hospital, or an ambulance arrives. Use your kit for:

• Cuts and grazes: antiseptic, cotton wool, plasters, gauzes, dressings and bandages

• Muscle strains and sprains: cold packs, ibuprofen

• Minor burns: burn gel

• Removing splinters: tweezers

• Foreign body in the eye: eyewash

• High temperature: thermometer, paracetamol

• Bites and stings: calamine lotion, antihistamine

Now that you know how to put together a first aid kit, you can feel confident you are doing everything you can to be safety-conscious in and around the home.

• Assemble in a waterproof container cleaned regularly with Handy Andy to keep contents safe.

• Include all items featured on our handy first aid checklist.

• Remember to check and restock your kit –  replace items that are damaged or out of date.