Being prepared for injuries and accidents by owning a first aid kit is extremely important; however knowing what your first aid kit contains is just as important. Many times medications have expiration dates that are in first aid kits and are of no use once past the expiration date. Also, replenishing your first aid kit regularly is vital to making sure you are prepared for injuries. Below is an outline of how to keep your first aid kit up to date:
1. Check your first aid kit regularly.
Setting up a schedule to check your first aid kit and its contents is important. During months that you utilize it often, perhaps in the summer when a lot of activities are going on, be sure to check your supplies more frequently. Otherwise, be sure to check the expiration dates and the amount of supplies inside your kit regularly, just as you check the batteries in your smoke detectors.
2. Replenish after use.
Ever go to your first aid kit to get a band-aid and to your dismay there were none? Being proactive by replenishing the contents in your first aid kit will keep you prepared for any incident. Plan to replenish more frequently in the spring and summer when many outdoor activities are occurring. You can buy individual supplies when needed or buy first aid kit refills, depending on your needs.
3. Customize your first aid kit.
If you’re creating a first aid kit for your home, car, traveling or athletic event, different items are needed for each kit because various injuries can be expected to happen in different situations. Customize your first aid kit for different scenarios. For instance, if you’re going on a cruise you may want to bring medications to help with seasickness which wouldn’t be necessary if you’re going to a club volleyball game.
4. Include a First Aid Manual
There are several reasons to have a First Aid Manual in your first aid kit. No, the manual is not meant to be light reading. It will be a useful resource when in a high stressed situation. There’s always a calm person in an emergency. If they don’t know what to do to help the person in need, the First Aid Manual can provide guidance in how to handle the situation. Also, in case the only person that knows how to administer first aid is the person in need of help and unable to communicate what to do, the First Aid Manual can help until further medical attention can be sought.
Having an updated first aid kit, customized for your specific needs will be highly useful in the event of an emergency. First response to emergency medical situations can be the most important. Be prepared with the right tools.
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References
Medication Refill Kits
