When to Get More Adhesive Bandages and Other First Aid Kit Refills
When is it time to get more adhesive bandages and other first aid kit refills and supplies? Are you going camping or getting ready to move into a new home?
In any scenario, make sure you have a first aid kit to keep you healthy and safe. Whether you buy one ready-made or create your own, an emergency kit should include every basic supply you need–including fresh adhesive bandages.
Continue reading to learn about first aid kits and how to keep them up-to-date.
Why Do I Need a First Aid Kit?
It’s always best to be safe and prepared than sorry. In any situation, you might find yourself needing emergency supplies. Having a first aid kit always on hand is one of the best things you can do to prepare for anything.
There are several places recommended to have a first aid kit with you. Some of these include keeping a kit in your car, in your tent, in your backpack, and in your home.
In Your Car
Your car is one of the main places you’re in throughout your life. Having a first aid kit in the trunk of your car will save you in every situation, both emergency and inconvenient.
A car first aid kit will come in handy in case of a breakdown, malfunction, accident, or any other emergency.
Typically, you’ll find car emergency first aid kits stocked with items such as:
- A spare gas can
- Jumper cables
- Tool kit
- Flashlight
- Blankets
- Granola bars
- Water
- Road maps
- Gauze
- Scissors
- Tape
- Adhesive bandages
- Sanitization supplies
- Ointments
Depending on your car and the space you have, you might add or remove items from this list. Ensuring your own safety and the safety of those with you is important and can be done with a thorough car emergency kit.
In Your Tent
When you’re camping, it’s more important than ever to make sure you have every emergency supply you’d possibly need with you.
This preparation of first aid supplies along with other necessary items will help you stay safe and ready in any situation.
Camping can have accidents, emergencies, or dangerous situations that call for items from your first aid kit.
Whether you or another camper gets injured, some supplies get lost, or you’re faced with dangerous wildlife or human issue, you’ll be glad you came prepared with a first aid kit that holds everything you need to navigate harrowing scenarios.
Some things you might include in your camping first aid kit are:
- Sanitization supplies
- Scissors
- Nitrile gloves
- Medications and antihistamine
- Finger splint
- Gauze and elastic wrap
- Topical antiseptic
- Gauze pads
- A first aid manual
- A flare signal
- Extra food and water
- Rain equipment
- Maps of the area
Traveling with your first aid kit will keep you safe in any situation. Keeping an extensive emergency kit with you while camping is highly recommended.
Having prior knowledge and experience with the supplies in your kit will help you even more in any scenario. It’s important to be as informed as possible of anything that can occur on your camping expedition.
In Your Home
No matter how safe your home seems to be, problems can arise. Don’t let this worry you. Having a first aid kit ready will bring you peace and keep you ready in any setting.
Whether you have small children, guests, or a big family, small issues can occur and have a need for a first aid kit.
If your child scrapes their knee, you’ll have topical ointments and bandages ready. If you broke a finger trying to landscape your yard, your kit will have a splint and gauze ready.
You’ll never find yourself in need of anything when your emergency kit is full of useful supplies such as:
- Burn dressings
- Over-the-counter medicines
- Kids’ band-aids
- Topical ointments
- Gauze
- Adhesive bandages
- Splints
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Thermometer
You may find yourself using these items often enough that you need to replenish them.
Make sure you’re aware of the use of your first aid kit so that you properly restock what you need before the next use.
The benefit of having a home emergency first aid kit is that you can continue to add supplies to the mix whenever you need to. Growing a thorough collection of supplies like these will keep your home protected and ready.
Using the Tools in Your Kit
You may have your emergency kit stocked and ready, but do you know how to use it?
Whether you take a first aid course somewhere or you read a first aid manual, staying up-to-date on your first aid response is critical to performing well in an emergency.
You should have a working knowledge of CPR and other resuscitation methods as well as basic first aid care.
Be sure to also practice using some tools you may not be familiar with, such as fastening a splint, using medical supplies, or practicing safety measures in the outdoors.
In order to be able to properly respond to any emergency, you’ll need to educate yourself on the importance of keeping yourself mentally and physically ready for anything.
How to Be Conscious of Replenishing Your Kit
One of the key things to maintaining a first aid kit is to keep a checklist handy. Once you’ve stocked your first aid kit with what you need, track it all in a checklist to stay on top of it.
When you begin using your kit and find that some supplies are being used more than others, keep a restock checklist. This will help you track what you need to restock and when you’re about to run out.
On the other hand, if you don’t find yourself needing to use your first aid supplies often, you might be faced with expiring or old items.
Important supplies, such as bandages, wipes, gloves, and ointments expire and lose their sterility or effectiveness over time.
Check expiry dates on packaging (usually printed by a timer symbol on the packaging) to be aware of when each supply is meant to expire. This will also help when restocking your kits in advance.
In an emergency, you may have no choice but to use an expired supply. Take caution when doing this.
Keeping a restock list and staying aware of where to buy more first aid supplies will keep you safe and ready on all occasions.
Keeping Your Adhesive Bandages and Other Supplies Ready
Being prepared in every situation is beneficial for you and everyone around you. Have your adhesive bandages and your first aid kit ready wherever you go and you’ll be glad you prepared in advance.
Read more on first aid with our article on how to clean and cover minor wounds.