30 EASY PREPAREDNESS IDEAS — DAY 11

Open Up That First-Aid Kit!

Welcome to Day 11 of our 30 Easy Preparedness Ideas!

Yesterday, we headed out to the car and checked our Car Emergency Kit.

Today, we're taking a closer look at something that should be part of our preparedness at home, in the car and in our Grab-N-Go supplies:

THE FIRST-AID KIT! 

And today's challenge isn't necessarily to go buy a brand-new one.

First...

GO FIND THE ONE YOU ALREADY HAVE!

Then do something very important:

OPEN IT. 

I know that sounds ridiculously simple.

But how many of us have a first-aid kit tucked away in a cabinet, backpack or car and just assume everything we need is still inside?

Meanwhile...

Someone used three Band-Aids.

The antiseptic wipes dried out.

The gauze got used.

The kids found the cute character bandages.

And nobody told Mom or Grandma. 

So today we're going to see what's actually in there.

STEP 1 — EMPTY IT OUT

Find a clean surface and take a few minutes to look through your supplies.

You don't have to dump everything into a giant pile if your kit is organized.

Just go section by section.

Look for supplies that are:

• Missing
• Used up
• Opened
• Damaged
• Dirty or contaminated
• Dried out
• Past their expiration date

Make a list of anything that needs to be replaced.

WHAT'S ACTUALLY IN YOUR KIT?

First-aid kits vary, and your family's needs may be different, but some basic supplies to review can include:

1. Adhesive bandages in different sizes
2. Sterile gauze pads
3. Gauze roll
4. Medical or first-aid tape
5. Disposable gloves
6. Antiseptic wipes
7. Appropriate wound-cleaning supplies
8. Small first-aid scissors
9. Tweezers
10. Instant cold pack
11. Thermometer
12. Basic first-aid instructions

You may have other supplies appropriate for your household and your level of first-aid training.

The point of today's challenge isn't to create the world's biggest medical kit.

It's to make sure the kit you depend on is complete, clean and usable.

CHECK MEDICATIONS SEPARATELY

If you keep over-the-counter or personal medications with your emergency supplies, review those too.

Check:

• Expiration dates
• Packaging
• Labels and instructions
• Storage requirements

Keep medications in their original labeled containers whenever appropriate, and follow the manufacturer's storage directions.

Extreme heat and cold can affect some products, which is especially important if you're keeping supplies in a vehicle.

For prescription medications, talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider about appropriate emergency supplies, storage and replacement.

MIMI'S TIP: DON'T JUST COUNT THE BANDAGES

Think about WHO your first-aid kit is for.

Does someone in your household have particular needs?

Do you have:

• Babies or young children?
• Older adults?
• Known allergies?
• Someone who wears glasses or contacts?
• Pets?
• Other individual medical needs?

A store-bought first-aid kit is a great starting point, but it doesn't automatically know your family.

YOU have to personalize it.

ADD AN EMERGENCY INFORMATION CARD

You don't have to make this complicated today.

Consider keeping important medical information accessible, such as:

• Medical conditions first responders may need to know
• Current medications
• Medication or other serious allergies
• Healthcare provider information when appropriate

And don't worry—we'll be talking more about our Emergency Contact Card on Day 13!

Today, we're simply making sure our first-aid supplies are ready.

HOME + CAR + GRAB-N-GO

Now ask yourself:

“Where would I actually need first aid?”

At home?

Absolutely.

But what about:

• Your vehicle
• Your Grab-N-Go Bag
• Camping or recreation supplies
• Work

You don't necessarily need a giant kit everywhere you go.

Think about where you spend your time and what level of supplies makes sense.

Yesterday we checked the first-aid supplies in our car kit.

Today is a great time to refill anything you discovered was missing.

SUPPLIES ARE ONLY HALF OF FIRST AID

Here's something else I want you to think about:

Do you know how to USE what's in your kit?

Having gauze, gloves and other supplies is helpful.

Knowing basic first aid can make those supplies much more useful.

If you've never taken a first-aid or CPR class—or it's been a very long time—consider adding training to your future preparedness list.

You don't have to do it today.

Today's job is still EASY.

We're simply opening the kit and checking what's inside.

ADD IT TO THE 6-MONTH CHECK!

Look at what we're building!

We already have:

• Batteries
• Emergency snacks
• Backup power
• Pet supplies
• Car emergency supplies

Now we're adding:

FIRST-AID SUPPLIES!

Every six months, take a few minutes to review your kits.

You could even write the next check date on a small card and place it right inside the first-aid kit.

When that date rolls around:

OPEN IT. CHECK IT. RESTOCK IT.

Easy!

TODAY'S EASY PREPAREDNESS CHALLENGE

Find your first-aid kit and:

☐ Open it
☐ Check bandages and gauze
☐ Check gloves
☐ Check antiseptic/wound-care supplies
☐ Look for opened or damaged packages
☐ Check applicable expiration dates
☐ Review medications stored with your emergency supplies
☐ Replace anything missing or used
☐ Add family-specific items when appropriate
☐ Check your car and Grab-N-Go first-aid supplies
☐ Set a reminder to check again in 6 months

Don't have everything you want?

MAKE A LIST.

You don't need to spend a fortune today.

Add a box of bandages this week.

Pick up gauze next time.

Replace those dried-out wipes.

One little item at a time.

DAY 11 — DONE!

Today wasn't dramatic.

You didn't build a bunker.

You didn't buy a cart full of emergency supplies.

You simply opened a first-aid kit and made sure the things you thought were there...

WERE ACTUALLY THERE. 

That's exactly what this month is about.

Small preparedness jobs that make us a little more ready than we were yesterday.

Open it. Check it. Restock it.

Tomorrow we'll tackle Day 12!

Until then...

One little thing at a time. 

— Mimi

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