Minor injuries often increase in the summer when people travel, vacation, and spend more time doing outdoor activities. Fortunately, most injuries can be easily treated – especially if you have a well-stocked first-aid kit.
But what first aid supplies do you need?
Here are 13 essentials to keep in your first-aid kit so you’re always prepared for life’s unexpected bumps, cuts, and scrapes.
First-Aid Basics
Whether you buy a first-aid kit or put one together, make sure it has these essential items:
Antibacterial wipes or hand sanitizer – Before touching scrapes or cuts, use hand sanitizer or wipes that contain at least 60% alcohol to clean hands and kill germs.
Antiseptic – An antiseptic spray or wipe will clean dirt and germs from minor cuts and scrapes.
Antibiotic cream or ointment – A topical cream or ointment helps prevent wound infections. Thoroughly clean the wound before applying an antibiotic cream like Neosporin, Polysporin, or Bacitracin.
Band-Aids – The Red Cross recommends 25 adhesive bandages in various sizes.
Sterile gauze pads – Have a few different sizes, and make sure they won’t stick to a wound.
