Ask the Doc: Top tips for a home first aid kit
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Q. I'm going to top up my first aid kit – do you have any advice as to what is best for me to have at home?
A, Having a good first aid kit is a great way to make sure you're prepared for any accidents at home.
A basic first aid kit may contain a range of items.
These include plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes, as well as small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings.
You should also have at least 2 sterile eye dressings.
Other items include the likes of triangular bandages, crêpe rolled bandages, safety pins, disposable sterile gloves, tweezers, scissors, alcohol-free cleansing wipes, and sticky tape.
The kit should also contain a thermometer (preferably digital), skin rash cream such as hydrocortisone or calendula, a cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings, and antiseptic cream.
You should also pack painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen; cough medicine, antihistamine cream or tablets, distilled water for cleaning wounds, an eye wash and eye bath.
It may also be useful to keep a basic first aid manual or instruction booklet with your first aid kit.
Medicines should be checked regularly to make sure they're within their use-by dates.
For other helpful tips, visit www.nhsinform.scot
