We all have those moments in life that come about suddenly just as we are chopping veggies for dinner. Moments where we start to question everything in our existence and if we are even capable of being an adult—and the answer is sometimes no. You almost chopped your finger off. You need a first aid kit and a handler. Are we really this clumsy? No. Accidents happen to everyone. Being prepared with a first aid kit at home is important though. Ask yourself these three questions when packing yours:

  • What minor injuries am I preparing for?
  • Are these items easily accessible and usable during emergencies?
  • Is it prepared for my specific accident-prone self and/or family members who make similar errors often resulting in minor injuries?

Note to self: Order three large boxes of bandages.

It is important to state that accidents happen all the time. Having a prepared first aid kit ready at hand is important. We all need one. It is also good to know when to seek medical attention. The advice below is for minor “oops” situations that happen when going about your day. It might require medical attention by you and not a physician. Know the difference and be prepared. You can stock your first aid kit with medical supplies and knowledge. 

The last time I thought it was just a stubbed toe, but realized, as blood was shooting through my sock, that it was a good idea to have prepped a first aid kit with butterfly bandages and antibiotic creams for situations that spring up unexpectedly.

Have you ever burned yourself on a pan while cooking? It is easy to do, especially when juggling a few different dishes and timers. Maybe you forgot the potholder—no big deal. No big deal until it sears a line in your hand. Having a burn ointment and easy wrappable bandage in your first aid kit will allow you to address the wound and move on quickly.

When the weather changes, it can be easy to slip on surfaces that are usually not slick. Falls create pains in places you didn’t know could hurt. Treating minor fall pain at home is important with an ice pack and possibly wound care. A first aid kit is important here in case you open a cut or wound. For the pain from the fall, you might need to add some CBD ointment or oil for inflammatory pain. Refer to our article here for more information about the use of CBD to cure pain, anxiety, and insomnia.

Safety

Something that most people don’t think about having in their first aid kit until it is necessary and too late is gloves and respiratory masks. If you are to care for someone and you’re sick or they are, put on a mask. Germs in wounds can cause major issues. In fact, grab some sanitizer as well. It never hurts to be prepared in all areas of safety.

Always wear gloves when dealing with the care of a wound or blood and bodily fluids. We always remember the Band-Aids for the papercuts while opening mail but we never remember the gloves for cleaning up the blood from the stubbed toe! Put a box of disposable gloves in your first aid kit.

First Aid vs. Emergency Kits

Being prepared sometimes comes in the form of a disaster and not an accidental injury while rough-housing. Having a well-stocked emergency disaster kit is a great idea and will use similar medical supplies as discussed for your first aid kit for the home or car. Items like antibacterial wash, sterile wipes and gauze pads, disposable unigloves, and medical adhesive tape are all essentials to start. 

Being prepared in life is a great way to ensure that small setbacks don’t create major problems. Ask your family doctor about ideas for life-saving devices, equipment, or tips for your first aid kit preparations. The more information and awareness one can gather before an emergency situation, no matter how big or small, the better the outcome will be. Your comfort at home sometimes depends on how prepared you were for the accidents you didn’t expect to happen. A first aid kit, when well prepared, can be a comfort you never knew you needed.