DIY First Aid Kit – Using Household Items - First Aid Training Calgary

diy first aid kit

Make Your Own First Aid Kit – With Household Items

First aid kits are important to have around the house. They should be accessible and filled with everything you may need in case of an emergency. Most often, people only have a box of Band-Aids and some Polysporin lying in a drawer and don’t bother to actually make a first aid kit. But the fact is that if you make your own DIYfirst aid kit, you will feel comfortable and prepared that you have what you need should an emergency occur. First aid kits don’t have to be the pre-bought expensive ones. You are able to make your own using things right there in your own home. Find these items around the house to make your own hefty first aid kit!

Container for your DIY first aid kit

Begin your first aid kit by finding some sort of sealable container you can keep the items stored in. If you have any left-over or unused Tupperware bins, they work great! Rubbermaid bins can withstand water and will stay sealed, making sure that your first aid kit does not go bad or get ruined over time. Be sure that your container is labeled so that if you are not around to tell someone where it is they can easily locate it in your house. Place your container in a visible and accessible spot – a place that it can stay dry and out of the way. Your hefty first aid kit is on its way to completion!

Basic DIY first aid Kit essentials

diy first aid kit essentials

Of course, there are some items you will have to go and purchase. This will include a few of the medications and pre-made items for your kit, but you can also find plenty in your house. Here are some items you most likely have and can include into your kit:

Excess Safety Pins: Include any safety pins you have lying around and place them into a small Tupperware container so they are not rolling around in the bottom of your kit.
Sewing Needles/Kit: Almost everyone has a small sewing kit (usually including thread, needles and a thimble) in their house.
Soap: Seal your soap in a plastic bag or small container so it does not rub off on anything else in your first aid kit.
Scissors: If you have children or do any crafting, you probably have an extra pair of scissors lying around the house. Great for cutting bandages!
Tweezers: Add these to your kit to use for removing splinters or any small objects that cannot be grabbed with fingers.
Blanket: Everyone always has an extra blanket lying around. Put this into your first aid kit to help with emergencies where an individual may need extra warmth or comfort from shock.
Flashlight and Batteries: Adding a flashlight and extra batteries can assist with those times that the power goes out.
Duct Tape: They say duct tape can fix just about anything, so why not use it to replace medical tape?
Q-Tips: Everyone has these in their bathroom! These are great to clean small wounds or apply ointment to an affected area. Place them in a sealable bag or container to ensure cleanliness.
Toilet Paper and Paper Towel: Two types of paper you will be happy you included as this is now a part of your emergency kit. These can help with any wipe-ups or even be used for a nose bleed.
Gloves: If you have some latex gloves in your house or if you have an extra pair of thin kitchen gloves that have been unused, these should be included to prevent contamination.

Homemade DIY Replacements

first aid list contact

Instead of going out and purchasing more expensive items, create some makeshift solutions yourself!

Tourniquet: This is a great item to have in your first aid kit that can easily be replaced with extra or left over fabric from your house.
Gauze Pads: If you are a female or have a female in the house, they may have sanitary pads that you can use in replacement of gauze. You can also use leftover pieces of cloth that have been properly cleaned (ensure the cloth’s material is soft and does not have fluff that can get stuck in a wound.)
Contact List: This is an easy thing you can make for your first aid kit. Write down a list of emergency contact information so that if an emergency is to occur you have the numbers at your fingertips. Be sure to add emergency numbers such as poison control, 911, Health Line, your family doctor, and the contact information for someone you trust.

Items to Purchase

You may not have everything in your household that is needed for a DIY first aid kit. Ointments and medications should be bought and stored with the instructions and any included papers. It is a good idea to refresh your first aid kit over time, as these items can expire and will need to be replaced. Here are some items you may want to consider purchasing for your first aid kit: