Needing items found inside a first-aid kit is, at some point is inevitable. Thanks to the items found inside your first-aid kit, you can be the first to manage all types of injuries.
Whether you are cleaning up a basic cut or scrape or are taking care of a burn or broken bone, a well-stocked kit is convenient and could be the difference between life and death. However, a first-aid kit that has not been updated or replenished for years may not be helpful at all. If it has been a while since you updated your emergency kit, it is time!
Learn more about why your first-aid kit should be update-to-date below.
Replenish Your Supplies
Many items found inside your kit are things you may need every day. For example, you likely have broken into your stash of bandaids, antibiotic ointment, and medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If you regularly are dipping into your supply, make sure you replenish your kit often, even monthly. Unfortunately, you do not know when a disaster or emergency will strike and when you will need your emergency kit. Always keep your first-aid kit fully stocked and ready for use.
Inspect Resealable Items
Resealable items in your kit, such as a bottle of medication or a tube of antibiotic ointment, are convenient; however, they may have dried out, expired, or are otherwise unusable—especially if you have not used them for years. Never share products, even if it is someone in your family or someone you know. While sharing medical supplies with family members is cost-effective and might seem safe enough, the risk of cross-contamination is too high. Instead, stick with single-use supplies if you plan to share your kit with loved ones. Or, consider purchasing each family member their own ointment tubes, wipes, and other items that do not need to be shared.
Watch for Yellowing Packages
Many items in your first aid kit, like glaze and bandages, are packed in a paper wrapper. With time, the paper ages and beings to turn yellow. Medical supplies made for your kit are sterilized after they have been packaged; however, yellowing paper suggests the wrapper is falling apart. Use your best judgment and throw away any packaged items that have begun yellowing.
When in Doubt, Toss It Out
Every year, take time to go through each item in your kit and look at the expiration date. If it has expired, obviously, it is time to throw it out. However, on items that you cannot locate an expiration date or it has worn off, dispose of them; when in doubt, always toss it out!
Contact Rapid Response Restoration
Keeping a first-aid kit is always a good idea. However, for bigger disasters, contact the experts at Rapid Response Restoration. If your home in the Orem, Provo, or surrounding area in Utah suffers an emergency, such as a house fire, flood, or mold, the skilled and knowledgeable technicians at Rapid Response Restoration can help. We are available 24/7 to help in an emergency or are available by scheduled appointments. Contact us today.
