The short answer: a basic first aid kit should hold adhesive bandages, gauze pads and roller bandages, tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone, gloves, tweezers, an instant cold compress, a thermometer, an emergency blanket, a breathing barrier and first aid instructions. The Red Cross list for a family of four below gives the amounts, and you add your family’s own medicines and emergency numbers.
The Red Cross suggests keeping a kit at home and in your car, and knowing where the kit is at work.
What should be in a first aid kit?
A first aid kit should contain supplies to clean, cover and protect wounds, plus a few tools and instructions. This is the American Red Cross list for a family of four. The "why" column draws on MedlinePlus and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
| Item | How many | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesive bandages, assorted sizes | 25 | Cover small cuts in places that get dirty or rubbed |
| Sterile gauze pads, 3 x 3 in | 5 | Press on a cut to stop bleeding, then cover it |
| Sterile gauze pads, 4 x 4 in | 5 | Same, for larger wounds |
| Absorbent compress dressings, 5 x 9 in | 2 | Cover bigger wounds |
| Roller gauze bandage, 3 in | 1 | Holds dressings in place |
| Roller bandage, 4 in wide | 1 | Wraps larger areas |
| Adhesive cloth tape, 10 yd x 1 in | 1 roll | Secures gauze |
| Triangular bandages | 2 | Wrap injuries or make an arm sling |
| Antiseptic wipe packets | 5 | Clean around a wound |
| Antibiotic ointment packets, about 1g | 5 | Can help a scrape close and reduce scarring |
| Hydrocortisone ointment packets, about 1g | 2 | Eases itching |
| Aspirin packets, 81 mg | 2 | Adults only: AAFP says never give aspirin to anyone under 18 |
| Nonlatex gloves, size large | 2 pairs | Reduce the risk of contamination |
| Breathing barrier with one-way valve | 1 | A barrier for rescue breaths |
| Instant cold compress | 1 | A cold pack with no freezer needed |
| Emergency blanket | 1 | Keeps a person warm |
| Oral thermometer, non-mercury, nonglass | 1 | Checks for fever |
| Tweezers | 1 | Remove ticks, stingers and small splinters |
| First aid instructions | 1 | Steps to follow when you’re stressed |
Buying a ready-made kit is fine. The AAFP suggests going through it once you get it and making sure you know how to use each item.
What should you add to a family first aid kit?
For a family kit, add your household’s own medicines and the extras doctors suggest. The Red Cross says to include personal medicines and emergency phone numbers. From the AAFP and MedlinePlus lists:
- Pain and fever medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, in forms that suit each person.
- An oral syringe or medicine spoon for measuring children’s doses.
- An antihistamine, including one with diphenhydramine for allergic reactions, as the AAFP suggests.
- An elastic bandage for sprains, plus an aluminum finger splint.
- Calamine lotion for stings or poison ivy.
- Sterile eyewash, such as saline, and hand sanitizer.
- A tooth storage kit in case a tooth is knocked out.
MedlinePlus warns never to give a child aspirin unless their own doctor says to, because of the risk of Reye syndrome. Store the kit out of reach of young children; the AAFP suggests the medicine cabinet. If someone in your home has a severe allergy or another condition, ask their doctor what to keep on hand.
A thermometer and fever medicine also help when someone gets sick. Our guide to flu vs cold explains which symptoms point to which, and when to call a doctor.
What should be in a car first aid kit?
A car first aid kit can hold the same basics as your home kit, kept in the car so it travels with you. Ready.gov suggests these car extras in case you’re stranded:
- Jumper cables, and flares or a reflective triangle
- An ice scraper and a car phone charger
- A blanket and a paper map
- Cat litter or sand for traction on ice
For a whole-home supply of water, food and light, see our home emergency kit list.
What should a travel first aid kit include?
A travel kit should hold a small first aid kit plus the medicines and documents that are hard to replace away from home. From the CDC’s travel health list:
- Your prescriptions, preferably in their original bottles, plus copies of the prescriptions
- Pain and fever medicine, an antihistamine, antacid and diarrhea medicine
- Motion sickness medicine, if you need it
- Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
- Sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, and insect repellent with DEET or picaridin
- Your health insurance card and a list of clinics or hospitals where you’re going
The CDC notes that some countries restrict which medicines you can bring, so check before you fly.
How often should you check a first aid kit?
Check your first aid kit at least every 6 months, and after any time you use it. The Red Cross says to check the kit regularly, check expiration dates, and replace anything used or out of date. Ready.gov adds that you should rethink your needs every year as your family changes.
A simple routine for each check:
- Set two dates a year in your phone now.
- Lay everything out and tick it off against the checklist above.
- Throw out and replace any medicine or ointment past its date.
- Swap in fresh gloves, wipes and compresses if packets are torn or dried out.
- Update the phone numbers and anyone’s new medicines.
MedlinePlus suggests keeping all your supplies in one place so you know exactly where they are. Make sure everyone in the house knows that place too.
What first aid skills should you learn?
The most useful skills are checking a scene, calling for help, CPR, using an AED and controlling heavy bleeding. The Red Cross teaches a simple order: check the scene for safety and the person for responsiveness and breathing, call 911 if needed, then give care based on what you find and your training.
The Red Cross runs first aid, CPR and AED courses online, in person, or blended, where you study online and then show your skills to an instructor. The American College of Surgeons’ Stop the Bleed program teaches three basic actions to control severe bleeding; it notes that bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death after injury. A kit works best in hands that have practiced.
When is a first aid kit not enough?
A first aid kit is for minor injuries; for anything serious, call 911 or your local emergency number first. MedlinePlus lists these warning signs of a medical emergency:
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more
- Fainting, confusion or a sudden change in behavior
- Sudden dizziness, weakness or change in vision
- Swelling of the face, eyes or tongue
- Swallowing a poisonous substance
- A serious injury from a crash, a burn, smoke, near drowning or a deep wound
Stay calm, call for help, and start CPR only if it’s needed and you know how. If someone is thinking about hurting themselves, call or text 988.
Your next step
Today, find your kit, or the box of bandages that stands in for one, and check it against the table above. Write the missing items on your next shopping list. A first aid kit is one part of being ready; our guide to what to do in a nuclear explosion covers sheltering, and the plan below puts it all on paper for your family.
Your kit is one half of the job
The Nuclear Emergency Plan
A printable family guide built from official guidance: where to shelter, what to eat and drink, and a one-page card for your fridge. Only $7.
Quick questions
What should a first aid kit contain?
A first aid kit should contain adhesive bandages, gauze pads, roller and triangular bandages, tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic and hydrocortisone ointment, gloves, tweezers, a cold compress, a thermometer, an emergency blanket, a breathing barrier and first aid instructions. The Red Cross also says to add personal medicines and emergency phone numbers.
Do first aid kits expire?
Parts of a first aid kit expire, so the kit needs regular checks. Medicines, ointments and some supplies carry expiration dates. The Red Cross says to check expiration dates and replace anything used or out of date. Going through the kit every 6 months and after each use keeps it ready.
Do first aid kits have thermometers?
Some do and some don’t, so check yours. The Red Cross list for a family of four includes one oral thermometer that is non-mercury and nonglass. If your store-bought kit doesn’t have one, add a digital thermometer.
Do first aid kits have Tylenol?
Many first aid kits don’t include acetaminophen (Tylenol), so you may need to add it. The Red Cross list includes only two 81 mg aspirin packets. The AAFP suggests adding pain and fever medicine, and says never to give aspirin to anyone under 18 because of the risk of Reye syndrome.
How often should first aid kits be checked?
Check a home first aid kit at least every 6 months and after every use. The Red Cross says to check the kit regularly and replace used or expired items, and Ready.gov suggests rethinking your emergency supplies every year as your family’s needs change.
Where should you keep a first aid kit?
Keep a first aid kit in one known place at home, out of reach of young children, and keep a second one in your car. The AAFP suggests the medicine cabinet at home. The Red Cross also advises carrying a kit or knowing where to find one, including at work.
This article is general information, not medical advice or first aid training. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. Ask a doctor or pharmacist which medicines are safe for each person in your home, especially children and anyone with a health condition.
Sources
- American Red Cross. Make a First Aid Kit
- American Red Cross. First Aid training and certification
- American Red Cross. First Aid Steps
- MedlinePlus. First aid kit
- MedlinePlus. Recognizing medical emergencies
- MedlinePlus. Reye syndrome
- American Academy of Family Physicians, familydoctor.org. What do I need in my first aid kit?
- Ready.gov. Build a Kit
- Ready.gov. Car Safety
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pack Smart, Travelers’ Health
- American College of Surgeons. Stop the Bleed