|
|
A Family First-aid Kit Checklist
The author of 'The Family Travel Sabbatical Handbook' shares a list of key items to pack for your new home abroad.
Elisa Bernick
Monday, September 17, 2007;
You can purchase ready-made first-aid kits from any camping or medical supplier online. A cheaper option is to buy a soft-sided multi-zippered storage bag and put one together yourself. Include:
• Sterile gauze pads.
• Bandages/Band-Aids in a variety of sizes.
• Adhesive tape.
• Sterile cotton balls.
• Antibacterial hand wipes.
• Small jar of Vaseline.
• Scissors, tweezers, safety pins, Swiss Army knife.
• Digital thermometer.
• Small cold pack.
• Anti-itch cream such as hydrocortisone or calamine.
• Antibiotic cream or ointment.
• Syrup of ipecac.
• Aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprofen (adults' and children's).
• Cold tablets.
• Cough syrup, throat lozenges (adults' and children's).
• Antihistamine (Benadryl oral and ointment).
• Diarrhea medicine (adults' and children's).
• Sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent.
•Vaginal cream for infections.
• Spoon/oral syringe to administer kids' doses.
• Moleskin for blisters.
• Inhalers, special medications, etc.
• Any other specific over-the-counter medication that your doctor or pharmacist recommends for your sabbatical destination.
• Emergency medical reference book.
Optional:
• Antibiotics such as amoxicyllin.
• Louse treatment.
• Pinworm treatment.
• Rehydration mixture.
• Lotrimin (or other clotrimazole- or miconazole-based) anti-fungal.
Tip: Do not pack your first-aid kit in your carry-on luggage if you fly. Airports keep changing their carry-on restrictions, and you might not be able to take it aboard.