Emergency Items You Should Put in a First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first aid kit is just one of the essentials you'll want to keep around in case of emergency. And while you can certainly buy a premade kit, building your own will allow you to customize your supplies and stock up in quantities that won't require immediate replenishing. Here are more than 20 products that can help you better respond to all kinds of precarious situations.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
Related: Emergency Supplies to Stock Up On at Costco and Sam's
$13 from Amazon
Shop Now
Need a little extra guidance during an emergency? Though it's no substitute for a first aid class, this comprehensive book will walk you through what to do in case of 100 different conditions, with large color photos to help.
Related: Lifesaving Skills Worth Learning for Emergencies
$29 from Amazon
Shop Now
Cold packs are a quick, convenient way to reduce swelling and pain after an injury. These instant cold packs don't even need to stay in the freezer: Just squeeze them together to activate them.
Related: 20 Must-Haves for Your Next Big Hike
$9 from Amazon
Shop Now
A good pair of surgical tweezers is a must for removing foreign objects such as splinters, metal, or glass from under the skin. The sharp tips also make them ideal for removing painful ingrown hairs.
For more great shopping guides, please sign up for our free newsletters.
$17 from Amazon
Shop Now
Broken bones or soft-tissue injuries are common but oh-so-painful. This lightweight, 36-inch waterproof splint can help keep the injured area still to prevent further damage. It's reusable and can be doubled or cut up to fit.
Related: Emergency Essentials to Keep in Your Car
$7 from Amazon
Shop Now
To protect everyday scrapes, adhesive bandages are a no-brainer. These Band-Aids are stretchable and breathable, with a nonstick pad to cover the wound while it heals.
$12 from Amazon
Shop Now
Large triangular bandages are a versatile addition to any first aid kit: They're large enough to immobilize injuries and can double as slings. In a pinch, they can also help control bleeding from larger wounds.
$10 from Walmart
Shop Now
Take the guesswork out of taking temperatures with this digital thermometer that allows for oral, rectal, or underarm use handy for any age. It has a large digital display that tells you a temperature in eight seconds, and recalls the last reading so you can compare. It's got professional accuracy, but a color-coded signal anyone can understand: green for fine, yellow for an elevated temperature, or red for a fever.
Related: These Infrared Thermometers Can Check Temperatures Without Contact
$5 from Amazon
Shop Now
Blisters, corns, calluses, and other minor foot issues can become major problems for those who have to be on their feet. This self-stick moleskin roll can be cut and shaped to fit any area, providing temporary relief.
$14 from Amazon
Shop Now
Elastic bandages are a must for supporting minor strains or sprains. The hook-and-loop closure on these washable, odor-resistant bandages means you won't need to mess with any clips to secure them.
$6 from Amazon
Shop Now
Gauze is a must for cleaning and protecting wounds and burns. These low-lint 4-by-4-inch gauze sponges are designed to be extra soft and absorbent. They're individually wrapped, making them especially easy to toss in your first aid kit.
Related: 17 Dangerous Mistakes People Make Around Fire and Fireworks
$12 from Amazon
Shop Now
Hold that gauze on hard-to-bandage areas with this stretchy, clear first aid tape. It's made with a hypoallergenic adhesive to avoid irritating the skin.
$13 from Amazon
Shop Now
Sometimes soap and water just isn't an option. In those cases, these individually packaged antiseptic wipes can help prevent infection by cleaning up minor injuries on the spot.
$8 from Amazon
Shop Now
Another great option for preventing infection, Neosporin can keep a minor wound or burn protected for up to 24 hours. It also reduces scarring.
$4 from Amazon
Shop Now
Whether you need to cut gauze, first aid tape, a stubborn bandage or even clothing to treat a wound, these titanium shears are up to the task. And at 4 inches, they won't take up too much room in your first aid kit.
$30 from Amazon
Shop Now
This solar-crank radio does it all. Aside from receiving AM, FM, and weather radio, it also functions as an emergency flashlight, an SOS alarm, and a 2000 mAh power bank that can charge up phones or other devices with the built-in USB port.
$8 from Walgreens
Whether you've got poison ivy, a nasty bug bite, or some other minor skin irritation, this Caladryl lotion is a must. It goes on clear and acts as a pain reliever, skin protectant, and itch reliever.
$13 from Amazon
Shop Now
One of the best ways to keep from spreading germs is by slapping on some gloves before tending to an injury. These puncture-resistant, latex-free gloves come in four sizes and are finely textured for better grip.
$30 from Amazon
Shop Now
Help out anyone who's feeling a little green with these individual medicine packets. You'll get six kinds of medication to treat upset stomachs, motion sickness, heartburn, and more.
$10 from Amazon
Shop Now
This pocket resuscitator can make a scary situation a bit easier to tackle with a filter-protected, one-way valve designed to help resuscitate adults, kids, or infants. It's compatible with standard breathing equipment and comes in its own storage case.
$6 from Amazon
Shop Now
Grab this 4-ounce sterile irrigating saline eyewash when someone has foreign particles in their eyes and needs quick relief. It comes in a squeezable single-use bottle for easy portability and use.
$8 from Amazon
Shop Now
Packaged in convenient 3.25-ounce squeezable tubes, this medical-grade petroleum jelly can help soothe rashes, keep skin from becoming irritated, and stand in for lip balm in a pinch.
$24 from Amazon
Losing too much body heat can be dangerous any time of year, and this heat-reflective blanket can help prevent that. This one is waterproof, windproof, and more durable than most mylar blankets.
$1 from Target
Shop Now
Whether you need to clean a wound or apply some sort of ointment, cotton swabs are a must to keep a lid on germs and keep pain to a minimum. These Q-tips come packaged in convenient travel-size cases, perfect for first aid kits.
Related: 25 Tips for a Healthy and Safe Summer
Like Cheapism's content? Make sure to follow us here.
