A Parent’s Guide to First Aid Kits

A few weekends ago, my daughters and I were on a nature trail when one of my daughters got stung by a bee. She started shrieking and crying, and when we pulled the stinger out, she was still crying and in pain.

I quickly dug into my purse, and was very disappointed to only find a pack of Band-Aids. I called my daughters’ doctor, and was told that Tylenol and an antihistamine could reduce her pain. I also worried that she could have a reaction to the bee sting, since my husband and I have many allergies. Of course, I didn’t have any allergy medicine or kids’ pain relievers with me, and had to drive home frantically while my daughter cried loudly in pain.

Since that harrowing event, I’ve vowed to always have a first aid kit on hand. I’ve done some research, and found that there’s varying advice on what should be in such a kit. (Good advice on what to pack in a first aid can be found on websites bandaid.com, modernmom.com and ready.gov).

I probably couldn’t fit everything that’s recommended for a first aid kit in my purse, so this is what I’ve decided to pack in my traveling first aid kit for my kids:

- A non-aspirin pain reliever for kids like Tylenol.
- A kids-strength antihistamine/allergy medicine, such as Benadryl (in the case of an allergic reaction or a bee sting)
- Adhesive bandages (like Band-Aids)
- An antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin)
- A cold pack (for reducing swelling in the case of muscle sprains and insect stings)
- A sterile eye wash (to wash irritants out of the eye)
- A burn ointment
- Sunscreen
- Hydrocortisone anti-itch ointment (for bug bites, etc)
- A list of any medicines your child takes and contact information for your child’s doctor
- A thermometer.

Of course, pre-packed first aid kits can be purchased in just about any drugstore, but they come at a cost. You can create your own first kit by packing your essentials in any container, such as a plastic pencil box, lunch box, candy tin, zippered makeup bag or a zip-lock baggie.