First Aid Kit Essentials

In New Hampshire, we already have had a snowstorm that handed us an inch of snow per hour for at least a quarter of the day. When it’s falling that fast, it is best to stay at home. But what if it keeps falling, the power goes out, and you are stranded? Then, on top of that, what if someone gets badly burned, cut, or injured in another manner? Do you have a well-equipped first aid kit? Band-aids and Neosporin just won’t cut it.  Though it’s a good idea to have health insurance in place for treatment in the long term, it’s always best to be prepared to treat an injury at the scene as best you can to prevent infection along with other possible complications such as shortness of breath or extreme nausea.  Here’s what is recommended by the American Red Cross:

• 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
• 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
• 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
• 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
• 5 antiseptic wipe packets
• 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
• 1 blanket (space blanket)
• 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
• 1 instant cold compress
• 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
• 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
• Scissors
• 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
• 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
• Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
• 2 triangular bandages
• Tweezers
• First aid instruction booklet

Getting another ice storm like the one that took New England by surprise last year seems unlikely. Realistically, however, we should be ready if such a disaster were to occur again. This winter doesn’t seem any nicer than last; are you prepared?