Fully Furnish Your First Aid Kit - Five Must-Haves

Being a parent is never an easy job. As a matter a fact, it’s a full-time job, and your work is never done! Do you fret about rendering aid before school, after school and even during accident-prone recess? Worry stops here! By the time you finish reading, you'll know exactly what you need to fully furnish your first aid kit.

Bandages and pads

Bandages come in all shapes, sizes and colors. For juniors, heroes are popular; for little misses, princesses bring a royal feeling. Both gauze pads and bandages serve a very important role in helping a child. Gauze can be used to apply ointments and cover more serious wounds. (Be sure to grab some tape.) Bandages cover the wound completely. Both help stop a couple of things: crying and bleeding. Plus, early coverage can prevent infection—and hide those creepy cuts!

Hot and cold packs

Bumps and bruises are the worst. Kids are adventurous, and we can't always prevent them from making mistakes like jumping off the swing. However, we can be prepared if they don't stick the landing. In this case, break-to-heat or break-to-cold packs are great. They reduce swelling and make the pain fade away. They even help parents who get a little sore after chasing their rug rats around all day.

Pain and fever medication

Sprains, tooth pain, fever and headaches are always big deals when they pester kid-size bodies. In cases like this, preparation is key. Always equip your first aid kit with a children's pain reliever. Consult with a doctor to choose the best type for your child.

Tweezers

Not for eyebrows today. Tweezers can come in handy for all sorts of tasks: removing splinters, bee stingers, glass, ticks and even candy. That's right, candy! You'd be surprised what kids put up their noses. Tweezers are the tool of choice for lots of minor emergencies.  

Antihistamine

Allergies in children are a challenge. Having a little something handy is helpful just in case a trigger food slips by and a child experiences a reaction. Oral antihistamines are great and can reduce potential reactions, according to Parents.com and Emily Tuerk, MD. They also are helpful for treating more than food allergies. Antihistamines can decrease symptoms of poison ivy, hives and other skin reactions. Just be sure to consult with your primary care physician first.  

Jessica Samuel is a native of St. Louis and current Kansas City resident, journalist, photographer, graduate student, ALLY.