Bandages and dressings: 25 adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, 2 large absorbent dressings (5 by 9 inches), 5 sterilesterilized Made free of germs, usually by boiling or holding in a flame. gauze padsgauze Thin, loose-woven cotton cloth used to cover a wound or pack it to stop bleeding. of each size (3 by 3 and 4 by 4), a roll of gauze, a 4-inch roller bandage, and 2 triangular bandagestriangular bandage A big triangle of cloth that folds into a sling for a hurt arm, or into a wide strap to hold a splint. for slingssling A throwing tool: a pouch with two cords. Swing it and let go of one cord to fling a stone..
Home Prep · Home Prep: ready at home course
Build a home first aid kit
A store-bought kit is a fine start, but most are short on the things you actually use. The Red Cross list below covers a family of four. Keep one at home, one in each car, and a small one in your day pack.
Why this matters
Most injuries at home and on trips are small, and a good kit lets you handle them yourself. For big injuries, it helps you care for someone until help arrives.
Store kits rungame trail A narrow path worn through grass or brush by animals using it over and over. A trap goes on a trail an animal already uses. out of the things you use most, like bandages and gloves, and leave out personal medicines.
What you need
- A sturdy, waterproof box or bag, and the items on the Red Cross list.
An hour to build; a few minutes every few months to check.
Step by step
Tape and tools: a roll of cloth tape, tweezers, scissors, and 2 pairs of non-latex gloves.
Cleaning and creams: antisepticantiseptic A liquid or wipe that kills germs on skin. Use it around a wound, not deep inside it. wipes, antibiotic ointmentantibiotic ointment A cream that helps stop germs from growing in a small cut or scrape. packets and hydrocortisonehydrocortisone An anti-itch cream for bug bites, rashes and poison ivy. cream packets.
Medicines: aspirin (81 mg) packets for a possible heart attack (only for adults who are not allergicallergic When the body overreacts to something harmless to most people. A strong reaction to a sting can swell the throat and kill.), plus pain and fever reducers, allergy medicine and anti-diarrhea medicine your family uses.
Emergency items: an instant cold pack, an emergency blanket, a CPR breathing barrier, and a non-glass thermometer.
Personal items: a list of each person's medicines, allergies and doctors, and emergency phone numbers, plus any prescription items like an EpiPenEpiPen A shot of epinephrine (adrenaline) that a person with a severe allergy uses on themselves. It buys time until help arrives. or inhaler.
A small first aid guide or printed instructions. Better yet, take a Red Cross or community first aid and CPR class.
Check the kit every few months: replace anything used or expired, and keep it in a cool, dry place everyone knows.
Tips from survival instructors
- Keep a smaller version in each car and in your day pack.
- Add things your family actually needs, like an inhaler, an EpiPen or children's medicine.
Common mistakes
- Never restocking after using it. The fix: replace items right away.
- Letting medicines expire. The fix: check dates every few months.
- Not knowing how to use it. The fix: take a first aid and CPR class.
- Keeping it locked away or hard to reach. The fix: one known spot.
Practice it safely
Open your current kit and check it against the Red Cross list. Make a shopping list of what is missing, and write each person's medicines and allergies on a card for the lid.
Quick check
Besides supplies, what else belongs in a family kit?
- A list of each person's medicines, allergies and doctors
- Nothing else
- A hammer
Show the answer
A list of each person's medicines, allergies and doctors
Take the quiz and earn the badge
The app checks your answers, keeps your place in the Home Prep: ready at home, and works with no signal once saved.
Before you rely on thisA learning tool, not a replacement for training. In an emergency, call 911.