The following items are recommended for a first aid kit.

1. Dressings (to cover wound)

• Packet of assorted adhesive plasters.
• Box of 5 x 5 cm sterile gauze pads.

2. Bandages (to hold dressings in place)

• Roll of adhesive dressing tape.
• Roll of elastic bandage.
• Roll of 2.5 cm wide gauze bandage

3. Medicines for external use:

• Anti-itch cream/lotion (e.g. calamine lotion)
• Antiseptic wash/cream/lotion (to prevent infection of cuts/grazes)
• Alcohol swabs
• Normal Saline eye solution (for flushing foreign body in eye)
• Mouthwash/gargle
• Syringe, medicine cup or spoon

4. Medicines for internal use:

• Antacid (to relieve indigestion)
• Anti-diarrhoea medicine (probiotic, charcoal for adults)
• Cough and cold medicine (either from your doctor or over-the-counter
  type)
• Fever medicine/simple painkiller (paracetamol/ibuprofen)
• Throat lozenges

Others:

• Clinical thermometer
• Scissors (to be kept solely for first-aid use)
• Pointed tweezers (to remove splinters/stings)
• Roll of sterile cotton wool (to clean wounds)

EXTRA TIPS

• Store the first-aid kits in places that are out of children’s reach but easily accessible for adults.
• Check the kits regularly. Replace missing items or medicines that may have expired.
• Check the torchlight batteries to make sure they work.

⇒ Related Read: 8 Common Accidents In Children And How To Treat Them Properly

By Dr Wong Chin Khoon, Paediatrician, SBCC Baby & Child Clinic.

This article was first published in The New Age Parents online magazine.

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