What should every household first aid kit include?

The American Red Cross recommends that a household first aid kit include: adhesive bandages in multiple sizes, sterile gauze pads and rolls, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, nitrile gloves, a digital thermometer, tweezers, medical scissors, a CPR breathing barrier, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antihistamine, and any prescription medications your household requires. The kit should be stored in a clearly labeled, waterproof container that all household members can locate.

How often should I check and restock my first aid kit?

Check your first aid kit at least once a year and after any use. Replace any supplies that have been used, expired, or show signs of deterioration. Pay particular attention to medication expiration dates — expired medications may be less effective or unsafe. Replacing the entire kit every two to three years is a reasonable baseline for most households.

Should I have a separate first aid kit in my car?

Yes. A vehicle kit should be compact but include the essentials for roadside injuries: bandages, gauze, gloves, antiseptic wipes, medical tape, a space blanket, and pain relievers. Heat inside parked vehicles degrades medications and adhesives more quickly, so inspect your vehicle kit seasonally and store it in the coolest part of the car.

When should I use my first aid kit vs. calling 911?

Use your first aid kit for minor wounds, burns, sprains, and non-emergency situations. Call 911 immediately for: uncontrolled bleeding, suspected broken bones, head or spinal injuries, difficulty breathing, chest pain, signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty), loss of consciousness, severe allergic reactions, or any injury you are unsure how to handle safely.

What is a tourniquet and does my household kit need one?

A tourniquet is a device applied to a limb to stop life-threatening bleeding when direct pressure fails. The Stop the Bleed campaign, backed by the American College of Surgeons, recommends that households and workplaces include a commercially made tourniquet such as a CAT or SOFTT-W, along with hemorrhage control training. Improvised tourniquets are far less effective. FEMA and DHS both recommend Stop the Bleed training as part of basic community preparedness.

First Aid Kit Checklist — What to Include and How to Use It

Section 1

Wound care. The core of every kit.

Cuts, abrasions, and lacerations are the most common first aid situations. These supplies handle the full range from minor scrapes to serious wounds.

Bandages and Dressings

Adhesive bandages in multiple sizes (small, medium, large, knuckle)
Sterile gauze pads: 2x2 and 4x4 inch, at least 6 of each
Rolled gauze (2-inch and 4-inch) for securing dressings
Butterfly closures or wound closure strips for lacerations
Medical tape (1-inch and 2-inch rolls)

Cleaning and Protection

Nitrile gloves (at least 2 pairs, non-latex) — always wear before treating wounds
Antiseptic wipes or povidone-iodine pads
Sterile saline solution for wound irrigation (preferred over hydrogen peroxide for cleaning)
Antibiotic ointment (bacitracin or triple antibiotic) for minor wounds
Burn gel or burn dressings for minor thermal burns

Section 2

Bleeding control. Stop the Bleed basics.

Severe bleeding is the leading preventable cause of death from trauma. The Stop the Bleed program, backed by the American College of Surgeons, recommends three steps: apply pressure, pack wounds, use a tourniquet for limb bleeding.

Hemostatic gauze (QuikClot or Combat Gauze) for packing serious wounds
A commercially made tourniquet (CAT or SOFTT-W) for uncontrolled limb bleeding — improvised versions are far less effective
Elastic bandage (ACE wrap) for compression dressings
Pressure dressing or Israeli bandage for large wounds
Consider taking a free Stop the Bleed class — Red Cross and many hospitals offer them

Section 3

Medications. OTC basics and prescription continuity.

Keep a 7-day supply of any prescription medications your household requires. Store all medications in original labeled containers, away from heat and moisture.

Over-the-Counter

Ibuprofen for pain, fever, and inflammation
Acetaminophen for pain and fever (alternative for those who cannot take ibuprofen)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergic reactions and hives
Antacid for indigestion and heartburn
Anti-diarrheal (loperamide) and oral rehydration salts

Prescription and Specialty

7-day supply of all prescription medications your household takes daily
Epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) if anyone in the household has a severe allergy
Albuterol inhaler if anyone in the household has asthma
Check expiration dates on all medications at least once per year

Section 4

Tools and equipment. Assessment and procedure.

Assessment Tools

Digital thermometer
Pulse oximeter (measures blood oxygen saturation)
Blood pressure cuff if any household member requires regular monitoring
Penlight or small flashlight for pupil assessment

Procedure Tools

Medical scissors or trauma shears
Fine-point tweezers for splinter and tick removal
CPR face shield or pocket mask
SAM splint or moldable splint for suspected fractures

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First Aid Kit Checklist. What to have. How to use it.