Antiseptic wipes or alcohol pads decrease the risk of germs and bacteria getting into cuts, scrapes, and burns. After using antiseptic or alcohol to clean the wound, apply an antibacterial ointment to prevent infection, Dr. San Miguel explains. An emergency physician from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding what to look for in first aid kits, when first aid should be applied, and where kits should be stored. Christoper E. San Miguel, MD, FAAEM, clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Firstaid.co.uk opening hours are between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday, and our sales team will be happy to deal with any queries you might have during these times. The Verywell Health team tested 15 first aid kits in the Verywell Testing Lab. Following our detailed methodology, each test was designed to evaluate and compare the kits for ease of use, organization, quality of the products and carrying case, and overall value.

When purchasing a first aid kit, make sure it has the essentials like bandages and cleaning supplies. Antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointment clean and disinfect, while bandages help protect the affected area from dirt and debris. Some kits contain tweezers, face shields, and over-the-counter pain medications like aspirin. Assistant professor of emergency medicine Dr. Christopher E. San Miguel recommends finding a kit with gloves, which can prevent the transmission of certain diseases when treating victims who are bleeding. Small disposable saline wipes to clean a wound area easily, protecting it from infection. Washproof sterile plasters Medications can also come in handy during an emergency. It’s a good idea to choose a kit that includes OTC meds like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat pain and relieve fevers. You may also want loperamide for acute diarrhea or diphenhydramine for minor allergic reactions. “If the allergic reaction is causing difficulty breathing or throat swelling, call 911 and administer an EpiPen if the patient has one,” Dr. San Miguel says. If you need to rinse out your eye, run fresh, clean water run over the eyeball for at least 20 minutes (you might, however, find an eye bath handy for this). Accurately and safely cut clothing, bandages, tape, and dressings with reduced risk of puncturing the casualty’s skin. Conforming bandagesThe HSE Economy Workplace First Aid Kit (1-10 Person) is a great value first aid kit that comes in a hard case containing all the items you need in case of a workplace accident. You won't usually find hydrocortisone cream (mild steroid cream), antihistamines, tweezers (for getting out splinters) and pain relief medication. While they might come in a handy storage bag or box, shop-bought first-aid kits often contain supplies you're never likely to need, and not enough of the ones you do. and below: We don’t recommend first aid kits with this rating; you won’t find any on our list. How We Tested the First Aid Kits It's worth taking some first-aid essentials on your travels, to avoid the hassle of finding and navigating a pharmacy for minor ailments when you're somewhere unfamiliar.

David Cutler, MD, family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CaliforniaApply over broken skin to form a protective barrier that will remain in place to promote healing. Pair of gloves

Make sure it's easily identifiable as a first aid kit, and keep it out of the reach of small children. First-aid kit essentials: what you need Think about where you're going and what type of holiday you are having, as this will determine the kit that's most useful to have to hand. Useful summer beach holiday extras include: Buying an empty first-aid container case (or indeed, a cheap make-up/toiletries bag or lunch box that you can label) and filling it yourself means you can adapt it to your needs and lifestyle, and avoid paying for unnecessary extras. painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen Highly absorbent dressing pad designed to soak up bodily fluids efficiently and produce a padded layer to protect a wound area, aiding the healing process. Sterile wound dressings

New South Wales

Hold dressings over wounds safely and comfortably with this lightweight high-stretch bandage. Microporous tape Suitable for securing a splint in place or an arm sling for an injured limb. Low-adherent sterile pads Dr. San Miguel recommends throwing on a pair of gloves “any time you are dealing with blood or another bodily fluid” to lower the risk of transmission of certain diseases.