General Medi Mini First Aid Kit, 92 Pieces Small First Aid Kit - Includes Emergency Foil Blanket, Scissors for Travel, Home, Office, Vehicle, Camping, Workplace & Outdoor (Red)

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David Cutler, MD, family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California

to 4.7 stars: These first aid kits are excellent—they might have minor flaws, but we still recommend them. The HSE Economy Workplace First Aid Kit (1-10 Person) is a great value first aid kit that comes in a hard case containing all the items you need in case of a workplace accident. Antihistamines Active ingredient chlorphenamine maleate is generally thought to be better for stings and bites than one-a-day formulations such as loratadine or cetirizine dihydrochloride. For topical relief, one of our pharmacists recommended a mild steroid cream (hydrocortisone) over topical antihistamine cream. Small disposable saline wipes to clean a wound area easily, protecting it from infection. Washproof sterile plasters If you need to rinse out your eye, run fresh, clean water run over the eyeball for at least 20 minutes (you might, however, find an eye bath handy for this).Apply over broken skin to form a protective barrier that will remain in place to promote healing. Pair of gloves

painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen Buying an empty first-aid container case (or indeed, a cheap make-up/toiletries bag or lunch box that you can label) and filling it yourself means you can adapt it to your needs and lifestyle, and avoid paying for unnecessary extras. An emergency physician from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding what to look for in first aid kits, when first aid should be applied, and where kits should be stored. Dr. San Miguel recommends throwing on a pair of gloves “any time you are dealing with blood or another bodily fluid” to lower the risk of transmission of certain diseases.Medications can also come in handy during an emergency. It’s a good idea to choose a kit that includes OTC meds like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat pain and relieve fevers. You may also want loperamide for acute diarrhea or diphenhydramine for minor allergic reactions. “If the allergic reaction is causing difficulty breathing or throat swelling, call 911 and administer an EpiPen if the patient has one,” Dr. San Miguel says.

According to Dr. Cutler, you should keep your immediate surroundings in mind when evaluating the items contained in a first aid kit.Firstaid.co.uk opening hours are between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday, and our sales team will be happy to deal with any queries you might have during these times. You won't usually find hydrocortisone cream (mild steroid cream), antihistamines, tweezers (for getting out splinters) and pain relief medication. While they might come in a handy storage bag or box, shop-bought first-aid kits often contain supplies you're never likely to need, and not enough of the ones you do. Accurately and safely cut clothing, bandages, tape, and dressings with reduced risk of puncturing the casualty’s skin. Conforming bandages

Essential protection when providing any first aid treatment. When treating a wound area, disposable gloves protect the first aider and victim from cross-contamination. Safety pins Cover and protect a wound area with a hypoallergenic adhesive dressing that will absorb blood and shield open skin from contamination. Sterile saline wipes Make sure it's easily identifiable as a first aid kit, and keep it out of the reach of small children. First-aid kit essentials: what you need

The following items are the basic contents of a first aid kit, with explanations of what to use when:

Antiseptic wipes or alcohol pads decrease the risk of germs and bacteria getting into cuts, scrapes, and burns. After using antiseptic or alcohol to clean the wound, apply an antibacterial ointment to prevent infection, Dr. San Miguel explains. Christoper E. San Miguel, MD, FAAEM, clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center The Verywell Health team tested 15 first aid kits in the Verywell Testing Lab. Following our detailed methodology, each test was designed to evaluate and compare the kits for ease of use, organization, quality of the products and carrying case, and overall value. Think about where you're going and what type of holiday you are having, as this will determine the kit that's most useful to have to hand. Useful summer beach holiday extras include: While a foil blanket might be useful if you're outdoor adventuring, it's unlikely to be needed in the home, where other things can keep you warm.