Get Organized: First Aid, Emergency and Medical Supply Checklist

If someone in your house got sick or injured now, or when there was a natural catastrophe (knock on wood), do you have all you want to look after yourself and the other members of your household? In case you haven’t peeked in your medicine chest in recent memory, or simply haven’t gotten around to placing your emergency supplies together, here is what to include in your kits, in which to store them and how to maintain them correctly. It is kind of like having your teeth cleaned — you’ll feel great if it is done.

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1. First-aid kit. Too much stuff could be confusing to sort through in an emergency. Keep your equipment streamlined and well organized, and take some opportunity to get knowledgeable about each item on your kit prior to you want them.

Taking a first aid and CPR class from your regional Red Cross is smart, especially for anyone who have kids or elders in the house.

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Where to store it : Keep your first-aid provides in a centrally located place (including the kitchen or mudroom) for easy access in an emergency, and make sure every member of the family knows where it is.

If you have young kids in the house, store it up high. For homes with both older and young kids, show the older kids how to use a stepladder to retrieve the kit if necessary, stressing that it’s for emergencies only, and isn’t a toy.

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What to include: along with any personal medications (inhaler for asthma, etc.), consider adding these items to your kit. Bandages in assorted sizesAbsorbent compressesSterile gauze padsAntiseptic wipesCloth tapeAntibiotic ointmentSpace blanketNon-latex gloves (if allergy)ScissorsTweezersThermometerInstant cold compressRoller bandageHydrocortisone ointmentFirst aid bookletSee the Red Cross for a complete list.

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2. Medical kit. Being ready for frequent disorders, aches and pains can save a lot of midnight and hassle drugstore runs. Check expiration dates on your prescription drugs, and return to the pharmacy (call ahead: most will take them).Medications flushed down the toilet could enter our water supply; be on the safe side and take some opportunity to remove them correctly.

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Where to shop : Humidity and heat may harm ingredients in many drugs, and thus don’t store them in the medicine cupboard, which will be humid. Try a hallway cupboard or high kitchen cabinet (away from the cooker) instead. In case you have drugs that must be refrigerated, and you have kids in your home, store them in a locked box in the refrigerator to avoid accidental ingestion.

Since both prescription and over-the-counter drugs can be dangerous when not taken as intended, it’s best to keep them concealed, whether or not you have kids in the house. Safely dispose of unused, unneeded and died drugs.

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What to include: Consider keeping these items in your medical kit.
Antibiotic ointmentBand-AidsTweezersFever reducers and pain relieversAspirinThermometerRubbing alcoholHydrogen peroxideAntacidsAntihistaminesAnti-itch lotionLaxativesAnti-diarrhea medicationCold, cough and influenza medicationsYou might want to consider incorporating some natural remedies that serve the exact same function as one or more of those things above. Consult your healthcare practitioner for more ideas.

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3. Emergency planning kit. If you’ve been putting off making an emergency kit, create a point of doing so soon. Be ready!

Where to shop: Don’t hide your apparel so profound in the basement or garage that you can not find it if you want it. In the garage close to the back door, in a coat closet near the front door or in the pantry are all great options.

Storing your supplies in a brightly colored backpack is a wise option, since it can easily be found and toted along if you ever needed to evacuate your house.

How to be prepared for an emergency evacuation

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What to include: The fastest and easiest way to make certain you get a well-stocked emergency kit is to order one from the Red Cross shop. If you would like to produce your ownpersonal consult the listing on the kit they provide, and gather the things yourself.

Supplement your basic kit with personal items which you would ever want in an emergency: drugs, favourite shelf-stable foods, a change of clothes for each individual in the house, pet food, plus something to read, play or do. Last, transplant at a listing of emergency numbers and a solar panel to your cellphone.

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4. Supplemental kits for pets, car and more. Depending upon your lifestyle (city dwellers might not need a vehicle kit) and family (pets or not) you might want to put together a few smaller kits tailored to your requirements. Homes with kids might want to keep a spare first-aid kit in the backyard or favorite play space where injuries are most likely to happen, while very big homes might require several first-aid kits.

Maintaining your fittings: Attempt to tie in keeping your emergency and medical fittings with another chore that you do every six months or so, for example steam-cleaning your carpeting or inspecting your gutters. Assess for and dispose of expired items, and replace as required. Then give yourself a huge pat on the back and revel in the sensation of being ready.

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