Stock a Home First-Aid Drawer: A Simple Checklist
A first-aid kit in a bag is great for the car. At home, a drawer works better — you can see everything at once.
The core list
- Gauze
- 6–10 gauze rolls and a pack of sterile pads.
- Wraps
- One elastic bandage per width you might need and 4–6 rolls of self-adhesive wrap.
- Small cuts
- A pack of wound closure strips and your usual adhesive bandages.
- Cover
- A few silicone foam dressings for scrapes and blisters.
- Tape
- A roll of athletic tape for strapping and holding.
- Tools
- Scissors, tweezers, gloves, a thermometer and a notecard with emergency numbers.
Keep it full
- Put a sticky note inside the lid. Whoever uses the last of something writes it down.
- Check dates on sterile items twice a year — when the clocks change is easy to remember.
- Store bulk spares in a cupboard and keep only a handful in the drawer.
One more thing
A drawer is for small things. Keep emergency numbers where everyone can see them, and call for help for anything serious.
