First aid: Stocking up your first aid kit

A comprehensive first aid kit should always be included in your holiday packing. So what items should a well-stocked kit feature in order to ensure a safe summer? 

By Julia Lamberti-Morreira

CREATING YOUR OWN KIT

Preparing your own holiday first aid kit is quite simple, when you know what it should contain. Firstly, purchase an easily transportable plastic tub or waterproof pouch to store all necessary items. Then fill the container with the following first-aid essentials (all of which can be purchased from your nearest Dis‑Chem store): 

  • Various sized plasters
  • Strip of wider plaster which can be cut to appropriate sizes
  • Roll of adhesive, hypoallergenic tape 
  • Antibacterial wipes 
  • Two pairs of surgical gloves
  • 8cm and 4cm crepe bandages 
  • Tweezers
  • Sharp scissors
  • Six safety pins
  • Face cloth
  • Thermometer
  • Torch and spare batteries
  • Two triangular elastic bandages
  • Two large and two small sterile dressings
  • Two sterile eye dressings
  • Two eye pads with bandages
  • Sterile cotton wool swabs
  • Painkillers
  • Rehydration sachets
  • Antihistamines for bites, stings, allergies and skin rashes
  • Anti-diarrhoea tablets
  • Antiseptic ointment 
  • Gauze squares

Alternatively, you can purchase a complete kit at your local Dis‑Chem, such as the Dis‑Chem Medic First Aid Household Kit or the Dis‑Chem Medic All Purpose First Aid Kit. Just ensure that the store-bought kit contains everything you’re likely to need on holiday and add any outstanding items that your family may require.

EXTRA ESSENTIALS FOR SUMMER

There are also a number of additional items that you can include in your first aid kit which will make for a safer and more comfortable summer holiday. These include:

  • A high SPF sunscreen for sunburn prevention
  • An after-sun cream to soothe burnt skin
  • Travel sickness pills
  • Small plastic bags, tissues and wipes for motion sickness 
  • Insect repellent wipes, spray or cream
  • Anti-itch ointment or cream for insect bites
  • Anti-fungal cream for athlete’s foot or rashes
  • Antacids, heartburn and indigestion remedies for digestive issues
  • Condoms to ensure safe holiday sex 
  • Blister protection 

Also, if you are on medication, ensure that you pack a reserve supply of your prescription and remember that all kits should boast a set of emergency contact numbers. Contacts to be listed include: a local ambulance service, your family doctor and paediatrician, the number and address of the hospital nearest to where are staying and the number of your hotel or accommodation venue.

KITTING OUT YOUR CAR

If travelling to a holiday destination in your own vehicle, make sure that you carry a special first aid kit in your car for emergencies. You can either buy a kit like the Dis‑Chem Medic First Aid Vehicle Kit or pack your own. If preparing your own kit, store items in a lightweight, strong tackle box or art-supply box and use plastic zip lock bags to separate and store items within the box. A quality first aid book and any prescription medicines required by you, or your family should also be stored in this kit. Other important first aid items to include are: 

  • Antiseptic wipes 
  • Hydro-cortisone cream 
  • Antiseptic gel (which requires no water)
  • Antibiotic ointment or powder
  • Antihistamine
  • Instant cold packs
  • A few pairs of surgical gloves
  • Saline solution
  • Two tongue depressors or ice block sticks for finger splints.
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent 
  • Thermometer
  • Torch 
  • Tweezers 
  • Curved Scissors 
  • Pain relievers
  • Burn gel with aloe vera
  • Gauze squares
  • Triangular bandage 
  • Adhesive tape
  • A variety of plasters in different sizes 
  • Sting and bite cream 
  • CPR mask 
  • Elastic and crepe bandages
  • Gauze and non-stick dressing pads 
  • Children’s pain reliever liquid and children’s-strength liquid decongestant (if you have small children)

Your holiday will likely be enjoyed without any major emergency incidents. However, ensuring that you have appropriate first aid items readily at hand will offer you peace of mind as you take time out to relax and unwind. 

Sources: www.firstaidanywhere.com  /  www.nhs.uk  /  www.dailymail.co.uk  /  www.health24.com  /  www.trusty-travel-tips.com  /  www.babycentre.co.uk/  /  www.puretravel.com  /  www.lifehack.org  /  www.realbuzz.com  /  www.babycentre.co.uk


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