What should a basic home first-aid kit contain?

Sterile gauze and bandages, adhesive bandages, antiseptic, scissors, tweezers, disposable gloves, a digital thermometer and a cold pack form the core. Add a small, clearly labelled set of common medicines and check expiry dates regularly.

How often should I check my first-aid kit?

Every few months. Check expiry dates on medicines and solutions, replace anything used, and confirm the sterile dressings are still sealed and dry.

How should I treat a burn at home?

Cool under running water for at least ten to twenty minutes, then cover loosely with a clean, non-fluffy dressing. Avoid ice, butter and toothpaste. Large, deep or blistering burns need professional assessment.

When should a wound be seen by a doctor instead of treated at home?

Deep, gaping or heavily bleeding wounds, wounds from animal or bites, wounds with embedded objects, or those showing signs of infection need professional care rather than home treatment.

Emergency Care

Building a Home First-Aid Kit That Actually Works

SloveCare Emergency Team— Emergency & Ambulance Response24 September 20265 min read

Every household has a box of odds and ends labelled first aid, but few have one that would actually help in the first minutes of an injury. A well-stocked kit is small, simple and genuinely used — and knowing its limits matters just as much as its contents.

Here is what belongs in one, and when to stop treating and call for help.

The essentials

These cover the vast majority of everyday minor injuries.

Sterile gauze, absorbent pads and a roller bandage
Adhesive bandages in a few sizes, and surgical tape
Antiseptic solution or wipes for cleaning cuts
A small pair of scissors and clean tweezers
Disposable gloves — several pairs
A digital thermometer
A cold pack, reusable from the freezer

Common household medicines

Keep a small, clearly labelled set rather than a crowded drawer, checking expiry dates regularly.

Paracetamol for fever and mild pain
An oral rehydration solution for dehydration
A basic antacid for indigestion
Any regular family medicines, kept in original packaging

The mistakes to avoid

A few habits turn a helpful kit into a hazard.

Applying cotton directly to a wound, where it sticks and traps bacteria
Using hydrogen peroxide or spirit heavily inside wounds, which delays healing
Keeping medicines loose, unlabelled or past expiry
Treating a deeper, bleeding or animal-bite wound at home instead of seeking care

Cuts and bleeding, done properly

For a minor cut, wear gloves, rinse with clean running water, apply gentle direct pressure with gauze until bleeding stops, then cover with a sterile dressing. Change the dressing daily and watch for increasing redness, heat or discharge.

Bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure for ten to fifteen minutes, or spurts, needs emergency care rather than home treatment.

Burns — the counter-intuitive rule

Cool running water for at least ten to twenty minutes is the single most effective first response. Do not apply ice, butter, toothpaste or any home remedy — they trap heat and worsen the injury.

Cover loosely with a clean, non-fluffy dressing afterwards. Any burn that is large, deep, blistering, or on the face, hands or joints needs professional assessment.

When to skip the kit and call for help

Some situations are beyond a home kit and time is the deciding factor.

Chest pain, breathlessness or signs of a stroke — call emergency services immediately
Heavy bleeding that will not stop, or a deep or gaping wound
Suspected fracture or a limb that looks deformed
Animal or snake bites, which need assessment regardless of appearance
Any loss of consciousness, confusion or seizure