We all realise the importance of being able to cope with minor cuts and injuries at home. Having a home first aid kit always comes in handy: so here's our parenting guide to compiling one, and keeping your family ready for emergencies.

Why is it necessary?

Most parents will have had the experience of one of their kids falling and grazing knees or elbows. The trauma suffered in such minor accidents is negligible, but we all want to be able to treat such injuries as quickly as possible and without much fuss.

The kit

A home first aid kit is like a mini emergency room for the home. The kit should be kept in an easy to reach and obvious location. It may not be you who uses it and it's best to have it as accessible as possible. It should be well-stocked and assembled to cover the usual household needs whilst taking into consideration the size of the family. In more serious situations (which can and do occur), such as deep cuts, immediate response can be crucial.

The kit should contain some scissors and creams, so it should be kept out of the reach of very small children, but not be completely hidden. Additionally, don't confuse a first aid kit with a medicine cupboard. You don't want to use it for storing medical supplies like tablets, pills or similar medications. Aim to keep your medications in a separate container and store it appropriately.

Many people may believe that they don't need a formal first aid kit as they have all the supplies they need at home. Typically, a home will have supplies scattered throughout the house. Plasters will be in one cupboard, and bandages in the next, while scissors are in a different room altogether. It helps to keep everything in one place.

A typical home first aid kit will include the following items:

• Sterile gauze pads
• Compresses
• Disposable gloves
• Bandages
• Antibiotic ointment
• Safety pins
• Band-aids
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Tape

You may also want to include specialised treatments for serious allergy reactions for a particular member of the family if they suffer from these.

Once you have stocked your first aid kit, check it regularly to ensure you have all the necessary materials you need. Check usage dates on creams and ointments and replace if they are coming close to their expiration date. Make it a regular feature for your shopping list that you check the contents and resupply as necessary.

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