How to put together a first-aid kit

 

■ assorted adhesive dressings and tape

■ sterile gauze dressings

■ sterile eye dressings

■ triangular, elasticated and crepe bandages; clips and safety pins

■ disposable sterile gloves

■ sharp scissors

■ tweezers

■ alcohol-free wipes to clean cuts and grazes

■ digital thermometer

■ skin-rash cream

■ antiseptic cream and liquid

■ insect bite or sting relief

■ ibuprofen or paracetamol (both available as a syrup for children)

■ antihistamine tablets

■ calamine lotion for burns or rashes

■ distilled water

■ eyebath.

 

For a first-aid kit in a car add an emergency thermal blanket, hand sanitiser gel, disposable hot/cold pack and a clinical waste bag.

 

When travelling abroad, add laxatives; diarrhoea medicine and rehydration salts; antacids; sun block and soothers; travel sickness pills and antihistamines. For certain destinations, health professionals recommend carrying a supply of sterile syringes and scalpels; water purification tablets and a single 500mg tablet of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which must be obtained on prescription.