Home First Aid Kit

Work through the list in order. Hide the notes when you know what to do.

1. Painkiller and fever reducer

   Basic remedies for pain and fever for adults, plus child formulations if kids live at home. Ask your doctor what suits your family.

2. Antihistamine

   Allergies love surprise appearances: a sting, a new food, pollen season. Keep a remedy at home before you need it.

3. Sorbent for food poisoning

   The first go-to for an upset stomach after bad food. Check you have one and it hasn't expired.

4. Oral rehydration salts

   Powders that restore fluids and salts — the key remedy for stomach bugs, especially with kids.

5. Heartburn relief

   Festive dinners happen more often than your stomach would prefer.

6. Antispasmodic

   For cramps and spasm-related pain. Which one exactly is a question for your doctor.

7. Antiseptic and hydrogen peroxide

   For cleaning scrapes and cuts. Handy to have both a liquid and a spray or stick format.

8. Gauze bandages and an elastic bandage

   Sterile gauze in a couple of widths plus an elastic one for sprains and bruises.

9. Adhesive plasters in various sizes plus a roll

   An assortment of sizes plus a roll you can cut to any shape.

10. Panthenol for burns

    The kitchen is where most household burns happen. Panthenol spray or cream belongs within reach, not at the store.

11. Thermometer

    A digital one is quick and safe. Check the battery: it loves dying right at the season's first fever.

12. Blood pressure monitor

    Especially if anyone at home is over 40 or has blood pressure issues. An automatic upper-arm model is easiest to use.

13. Instant cold pack

    Instant cold for bumps and sprains when there's no time to hunt for ice.

14. Scissors and tweezers

    To cut gauze and pull splinters. Let them live in the kit instead of migrating around the house.

15. Disposable gloves

    A few pairs for treating wounds — cleaner and calmer for everyone.

16. A reserve of everyone's regular medications

    Whatever anyone takes daily — keep at least a two-week buffer so 'ran out' never lands on a holiday weekend.

17. Expiry-date audit every six months

    Set a recurring phone reminder. An expired remedy at the critical moment is worse than none at all.

18. Store it dry, dark and out of kids' reach

    The bathroom is a bad spot: humid and warm. A high closed shelf wins — definitely not a pretty box at kid eye level.

19. Emergency numbers posted in plain sight

    Ambulance, nearest urgent care, your doctor, neighbors. On the fridge and in phone notes — nobody searches well in a panic.