First Aid Kit Checklist For Families With Children

Photo © Istockphoto.com/DNY59

Every family needs to check out their first aid kit checklist periodically to make sure they have all necessary first aid supplies on hand because accident or illness will strike.

Notice I didn't say "if" because accidents and illness, especially for children, are just a part of life.

You can, of course, buy a first aid kit similar to the one pictured above.

However, it is very simple and not costly to create your own.

In addition, your own first aid kit checklist will be suited to your family's unique needs.

How To Create A First Aid Kit For Your Family

You can put first aid kit contents in basically any type of storage container with a lid, but make sure it is placed outside the reach of small children so they do not get into any medicines or supplies contained in it.

In my family we actually put all our first aid kit contents in a large plastic container to keep everything together, and I have it placed on a high shelf in my closet where the children cannot reach it.

Also, note that your first aid kit, if it contains medicines, should be stored in a cool, dry area. Therefore, even though we think of medicine cabinets being in the bathroom this is actually not a good place to store your medications because bathrooms get hot and steamy.

Check And Update The Supplies In Your First Aid Kit Approximately Every Six Months

Keep a first aid kit checklist taped to the lid of the container holding your first aid supplies, or place the checklist in the container itself, so you can easily see what should be in the kit at all times.

Approximately every six months check the contents of your first aid kit compared to the checklist, and also review the supplies to see what has expired and replace any that have expired or been used up.

First Aid Kit Checklist

Papers

Emergency contact numbers*

*These would include doctors, dentists, Poison Control, and family members' work and cell phone numbers. This list should also contain a note about any severe allergies that family members have. (You should have an additional copy of your emergency contacts in your household notebook.)

First aid instruction booklet

Supplies For Minor Scrapes And Cuts*

Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
Adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
Sterile gauze (both rolls and pads)
Antibiotic ointment
Antiseptic wipes/spray
Instant cold compresses (I also like to have some reusable cold compresses in the freezer at all times)

* I suggest you also have additional of these supplies in the kitchen or central bathroom in your home, and also some in your purse, because boo boos happen all the time with kids.

Medical Ointments

Hydrocortisone ointment
Calamine lotion
Rubbing alcohol
Hydrogen peroxide
Hand sanitizing gel
Burn ointment
Eyewash solution (with eye cup)
Petroleum jelly
Saline solution (for help in suctioning out baby's nose)
Sunscreen, at least SPF 15
Sunburn ointment

Medical Supplies

Cotton balls
Cotton swabs
Disposable gloves
Ace bandages
Plastic bags

Miscellaneous other supplies

Thermometer*

* Including rectal thermometer for infants, and oral, ear or forehead thermometers for older children and adults, and be sure to also have the items necessary to cleanse the thermometer after use.

Bulb syringe (for suctioning out baby's nose)
Medicine syringes and teaspoons for measuring out doses of medicine*

* Note I am talking about ones that are calibrated to measure liquid medicine precisely, not ones for baking.

Scissors (including blunt tipped scissors for cutting gauze and adhesive tape)
Tweezers
Fine needle (use this, along with tweezers for splinter removal)
Blanket
Flashlight and batteries*

These last two are especially useful if you plan to make your first aid kit part of your emergency preparedness kit, which I suggest.

Medications*

Fever and pain reducers, for both adults and children*

* You need to have, at least for children, both infant and older children's varieties of fever reducers, depending on the age of your children, and you should have both acetaminophen and ibuprofen for those especially bad fevers where you are instructed by your doctor to alternate medications, and you may also want to have these also in suppositories if your child vomits medications a lot when ill.

Antacids
Anti-diarrhea medication
Oral electrolyte solution (such as Pedialyte)
Mild laxatives
Antihistamines
Cold and/or flu medicines
Cough medicine
Prescription medications prescribed to family members

* For all of these medications, have the appropriate ones in both adult and children's versions.

What Should I Have In My House In Case Of Accidental Poisoning?

It is no longer recommended to keep syrup of ipecac in your home to induce vomiting, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics

In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend keeping activated-charcoal solution in your first aid kit (see the same link above regarding syrup of ipecac)

Instead, call the Poison Control Center immediately! The Poison Help hotline number is 1-800-222-1222

It does not have to be expensive or take a lot of time to stock your first aid kit if you just buy one or two items at a time every couple of shopping trips.

Further, this first aid kit checklist is just a guide, and I am not a medical doctor. Check with your physician if you have any questions or need further clarification.

Finally, each family is unique and therefore your first aid kit checklist should be tailored to fit your needs and activities, including allergies, prescription medications, health conditions, and activities and hobbies that family members engage in.

Wish this checklist was printable?

Well, it is!

Click here to get this as a printable checklist (opens as a PDF) so you don't even have to write out your own.

You can just put a copy directly in your household notebook and another in your first aid kit so you can periodically make sure you have all the right supplies!