Skinned knees, cuts, headaches, and all sorts of things can happen at home. While some of those injuries or hurts will need medical attention, others can be managed at home. Even if there is the need to seek medical help, a well-stocked first aid kit will come in handy. Here are some of the more important medical supplies that need to be part of that kit.

Taking Care of Open Wounds

There are all sorts of ways to sustain cuts at home. Perhaps an over zealous pet with long nails left a deep scratch on an arm. Maybe a family member happened to trip and land on a glass tabletop. Whatever the reason, the fact is there is now an open wound that needs attention

Proper wound care requires the right type of products to stop the flow of blood, clear away bacteria, and cover the wound so that the healing process can commence. That means making sure you have bandages of several different types and sizes.

Always make sure you have adhesive bandages that will cover smaller cuts and abrasions. For larger cuts, you will need something to clean the area, gauze pads, and possibly some type of stretch bandage to help hold the gauze in place. Keep in mind that if the cut is deep, bandaging it will help protect the area while you transport the family member to a medical professional.

Remember that wound fillers may also be something to consider. Sterile packing will help to slow the blood flow and reduce the risk of infection. When used in conjunction with the right type of ointment, this solution can buy the time needed to get treatment for a serious wound that is life-threatening.

Tweezers Scissors and Gloves

The need to be mindful of bacteria and germs does not apply only to the open wound. As part of the wound care strategy, you will need some other resources. Donning a sterile set of disposable gloves will prevent any contamination from transferring from your hands to the wound dressing. You may need tweezers to remove foreign matter from the wound before you apply bandages or compresses. Don’t overlook the need for scissors to trim roller bandages to the idea length.

General Maladies

Not every problem has to do with wounds. Keep medication on hand that can be used for issues like headaches that develop out of nowhere, something to calm allergic reactions to pollen, and a combination of cold packs and heating pads that can be used when someone sprains an ankle or pulls a back muscle. If anyone in the household takes prescription medication, it makes sense to keep at least a few doses in the kit. In the event the family has to evacuate the home quickly, it’s easy enough to grab the kit and know there is enough medication on hand to last for a couple of days.

There’s more to include in a first aid kit. Talk with a professional about what to include based on the needs of your family. With the right kit in place, you will always have whatever is required to protect every family member.