Most medical mishaps -- i.e. accidents of sport, a child riding a bike and falling, running and tripping, going up and down stairs too fast -- require someone to pitch in to help the injured. If one has a proper FIRST AID KIT that a buddy, family member, work associate can use, the chances are good that this lay medical treatment can prevent or at least slow down blood flow or the injury from getting worse. No one thinks about having a first aid kit until it is needed - the same way no one thinks of having a fire extinguisher on hand. It sure is a comforting feeling to have a first aid kit ready if and when the time comes to help a fellow human being.

If you purchase, please remember to keep supplies replenished.

The Federal Government's Homeland and Security Department places an important emphasis on proper contents in A FIRST AID KIT to be used to help people in need.

The Department advises that the following contents be included in a Kit: Gloves used only once and thrown away, sterile, if possible (beware of latex gloves, as some people are allergic to them ) cotton sterile pads and tape of various dimensions and widths with pores if possible, iodine, cleaning wipes disinfectant solutions, creams to prevent infection, ointment for burn control. a solution to flush out the eye of any foreign matter. An oral thermometer is one item not to forget to include. Medical items for specific kind's conditions: insulin, heart medicine, an inhaler for asthma sufferers. It is important to check periodically for outdated items. In order to have a more sophisticated Kit , consider additional items such as :a cellular telephone to phone to call for assistance such as (fire /rescue squad/paramedics), aspirin / Ibuprofen to help with trauma and pain , a helpful tool like a tweezers, anti-diarrhea solution or pills, heart burn liquid or pills, a jar or tube of include as well.

The Fire Department of the City of New York has had extensive experience in the field of emergency medicine and therefore knows what to put into a FIRST AID KIT. Even though items are redundant, the listing demonstrates the need to have a good quality FIRST AID KIT. The Mass Group concurs with the following list: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and aspirin tablets to help provide relief for headaches, pain, fever, and simple sprains or strains. (Aspirin should not be used for relief of flu symptoms or given to children.) Ipecac syrup and activated charcoal for treatment after ingestion of certain poisons. (Use only on advice of a poison control center or the emergency department). Elastic wraps which can be used to bind and wrap wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries. Triangular Bandages for wrapping injuries and making an arm sling, Scissors with rounded tips, Adhesive tape and 2" gauze for dressing wounds. Disposable, instant ice bags for ice injuries and to treat high fevers. Bandages of assorted sizes for covering minor cuts and scrapes.

Antibiotic ointment: For minor burns, cuts, and scrapes. Gauze in rolls and in 2" and 4" pads for dressing wounds. Bandage Closures,1/4" and 1 " for taping cut edges together. Tweezers to remove small splinters and ticks. Safety pins to fasten bandages. Rubber gloves to protect yourself and reduce the risk of infection when treating open wounds. First Aid Manual List of emergency telephone numbers. One should strongly consider having all of the above as contents of a first aid kit. If this is not possible, at the least have the most important items to help with acute emergencies. A first aid kit should be a common possession for your home, vehicle and the workplace.

For optimal use of your FIRST AID KIT, please note: if you do not have a proper first aid kit box labeled as such, then have a properly labeled bag or container ready and in a place all know about that is easy to reach. The following places should have a first aid kit: house, apartment, trailer home, tent for outings, car , bus, truck, motor- cycle, motor scooter, even a bicycle, and workplace- I.a. offices ,factory, warehouse and distribution, boats , ships , aircraft , even working underground locations, etc. If one needs to lock the Kit to prevent children from getting to it, then responsible individuals should know where the key is, or keep it out of reach of the little ones.

All items in the kit should be listed and the list should be placed inside the lid of the First Aid container. When the helper is under pressure and needs to react sensibly, it is good to have the phone numbers of emergency services right there in the kit.

Finally, maintain an ongoing list of replacement articles to buy in the Kit, because when the time comes, one wants to have all items ready and fresh.