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The third step to creating an emergency survival station for your home is to put together a well stocked First Aid Kit. If there is an emergency and the parametics are unable to get to you, you may need to know how to apply basic first aid or give needed medications. A well stocked first aid kit may be the difference between life and death.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:
WEEK 3 – FIRST AID KIT
This week your goal is:
1. Choose a box for your First Aid Kit.
2. Gather your medications & supplies, then organize them into separate compartments, boxes, or baggies.
3. Make a list of what medications you have and the expiration date for each. (Include this sheet in your Emergency Binder).
4. Label each compartment. (See my example)
GETTING STARTED:
#1 – CHOOSE A BOX TO FIT YOUR NEEDS.
There are many types of “boxes” to choose from. I chose a tackle box simply for the many compartments it has. You can also use any type of plastic box with a lid and separate your medications with ziploc baggies or smaller boxes. My tackle box was about $45 from Walmart. I bought the largest one they had.
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#2 – STOCK YOUR FIRST AID KIT WITH MEDICINE, BANDAGES, AND SUPPLIES.
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As a Registered Nurse, I know the importance of stocking up on medications needed for those “surprise” emergencies! You never know when the day will come, so its best to be well prepared ahead of time. In the case of a natural disaster or weather emergency, you may be stranded in your home without the ability to get to the pharmacy or even call 911. So having everything in your First Aid Kit will assure that you are well prepared if you ever need to utilize it.
FIRST AID KIT CONTENTS
The following contents are my professional medical opinion on what to store in your First Aid Kit. You can add or take away to suit your families needs.
- Large tackle box
- First aid book, medication list with expiration dates printable (Included in E-Book [3])
- Bandaids (assorted sizes), medical tape, 4×4 pads, splints, cotton swabs, q tips, gauze, ace wrap, dental floss, sling
- Non Latex Gloves, Hand Sanitizer, N 95 Face Mask, Gown
- Neosporin, Wound Spray, Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Betadine Swabs, Scissors, Tweezers, Steri Strips, Tournakit
- Acetamenophen, Ibuprofen (adults & children), Aspirin
- 1 month supply of daily vitamins & prescribed medications
- Cough syrup, Cough Drops, Menthol Inhaler Stick, Sinus Meds
- Bee sting kit, Benadryl (adult & childrens), Anti itch cream, Insect repellent
- Anti diarheal, Anti Gas, Stool Softener, Laxatives
- Glucose Tablets (For low blood sugar)
- Digital BP cuff, Stethoscope, Thermometer
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You do not need a sphygmomanometer. A digital BP cuff will work just as well.
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Glucose tabs are great to have in case you or a loved one gets low blood surgar. They are only 99 cents at walmart. Also, a CPR mask is a nice thing to have. I keep mine in the top of the kit for easy access.
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Bowels & Belly medications
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Allergy & Bites
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First aid supplies (bandaids, gauze, tape, ointment, gloves)
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Wound management (iodine, butterfly closures, gauze wraps)
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Fever & Pain Medications
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Keep gloves at the top of the kit.
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Reference manuals are great for the kit. You may not have electricity to look something up online.
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#3 – CREATE A LIST OF YOUR MEDICATIONS & EXPIRATION DATES
Once you create your list of medications & their expiration dates, add the list to your emergency binder.
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#4 – LABEL EACH COMPARTMENT
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MONEY SAVING TIPS:
When purchasing medications for your First Aid Kit, select generic meds when available. You may not have the extra funds to go out and purchase everything at once. If that is the case, can make your list and purchase a couple of things each week when grocery shopping. You can also purchase travel size bottles & replace as needed. Also, go out into the garage and look for an old tackle box. Clean it out with chlorox wipes and its as good as new! Finally, if you don’t have the money to purchase a first aid book, go online and look for free printables including how to treat shock, a heart attack, a stroke, CPR, and hemorrhage.
“EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS” E-BOOK
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GRAB A BUTTON IF YOU ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE CHALLENGE
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WEEK #3 SPONSOR
ANGIE JESSE FROM RIGHT RESPONSE FUNDRAISING
Please welcome our week 3 “Emergency Preparedness” series sponsor, Angie Jesse, from RightResponse Fundraising. Visit Right Response (http://www.rightresponseiowa.com/ [7]) to find out more about WONDERFUL fundraising opportunities for your organization. Would you like to help others in the community get prepared as well, Host a First Aid Kit fundraiser! Email Angie if you are interested in learning more – Angie.Jesse@myrightresponse.com [8].
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