This was originally posted by Adventure Tykes on Women’s Adventure Magazine’s website
here. It is a good reminder that having a well prepared first aid kit is essential for all families. Let’s face it, the kids are going to scrape themselves on something and need some first aid.
When you pack to go on an outdoor adventure you remember to bring a pack to hold things, water, food, etc… but how many times have you walked out without a first aid kit? Whether you are camping, hiking or road tripping a well stocked first aid kit can be a life saver!
Based on Adventure Tyke’s suggestions, here are specific items that you should carry in your first aid kit:
- Medications specific to your child
- Infant or Children’s ibuprofen
- Infant or Children’s acetometaphine
- Antihistamines (pediatrician recommended) for insect bites, hives or allergic reactions
- Teething tablets or gel
- Child safe sting gel or pad
- Rubbing alcohol swabs
- Triple Antibiotic ointment for cuts and scrapes
- Travel electorolyte pouches (such as pedialyte)
- Saline nose drops to clear stuffy noses
- Child safe eye wash rinse
- Aloe gel for burns
- Diaper rash cream
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Nose Aspirator
- Thermometer
- Tweezers
- Bandage scissors
- Finger nail clippers
- Assortment of band aids in varying sizes
- Gauze rolls
- Guaze pads
- Cotton swabs
- Adhesive/medical tape
- Hand saniziter wipes
- Oral syringe for administering medication
- Space blanket
- Instant cold pack
- Latex-free gloves
- Basic First Aid book
- Important phone numbers (pediatrician, poison control, local hospital)
A simple way to assemble a first aid kit is to buy a preassembled first aid kit and then modify it. This way you have a bag that says, ‘First Aid’ on it, has pockets and dividers and already comes with some necessary items.
Optional items that you can add to your first aid kit:
- Child safe sunscreen
- Child safe Insect repellent
- Epipen
- Tongue depressors (to check for sore throats)
- Small flash light
- Neosporin Wound Cleanser (or something similar)
- Anti-itch spray/cream
