This week I started updating and organizing my first aid kits. I am not a nurse or anything like that, but I am a mother with a family that lives on a rural homestead. The way I view it, this homestead is under my charge and I am the first line of care for myself and my family. Having this point of view is empowering. You are in charge of your own homestead.
So when creating first aid kits for the homestead, the goal is to safely mend a small boo boo but also carefully manage an immediate emergency until you’re able to get to an urgent care/similar service or for an ambulance to arrive. This is so important, especially when living rurally where it may take a longer time to get to an urgent care or have an ambulance arrive at your home. Even 30 minutes is a long time in that situation. You need to be able to care for an injury or illness until you are able to get and receive help.
Everyone, no matter what, should have a first aid kit in their home, their car and even a small one in your purse/on your person at all times.
You can find cheap ones that are preassembled, which is fine, but the kits I have assembled for myself and my household follow the American Red Cross’s recommendation which can be found in the link HERE. If you do buy a pre-assembled kit, look through it and learn what each item is for and how to use it, that way you wouldn’t have to figure it out in a potentially stressful, emergency situation.
If you want to create your own kit for your family, follow the American Red Cross’s recommendation, and on top of that think about where you live and the specific things that have a greater likelihood of happening to you (for us, that’s things like poison ivy, bug bites, etc.). Another thing to consider are your own health conditions and that of your family members. That may require different items in addition.
Together with that basic home kit, if you have kids at home, it’s important to keep an updated kit for babies and children, too.
I had one specifically for when my little one was a baby, which I went off of the list by What to Expect, which you can find here on What to Expect.com. It was helpful to have items specifically for that age range, since a baby has different needs.
Now that my little one is a toddler, I am reviewing it and seeing if he needs different things. Right now I’m just researching, but I did find one good list so far, for a toddler travel first aid kit, written by The Bump, which can be found The Bump.com. Think about what ages your children are and make kits accordingly.
Remember to always keep your first aid kits out of childrens reach!
Once you have a full kit together, remember to check it periodically for expired or empty items that need to be replaced.
It takes some work and investment, but is well worth it.
Remember, this is just BASIC prepping that EVERYONE should have on hand.
***Disclaimer: I am not a nurse or medical professional.
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