What should I have in my first aid kit?

Everyone should have a first aid kit so they can deal with minor incidents and injuries. Here you will find the first aid kit supplies you should have at home.

Sterile dressings and plasters

Bandages

Protective items 

Other useful items


Everyone should have a first aid box at home so they can deal with minor injuries. 

Some people will also keep an emergency first aid kit in their car, and take a seperate [travel first aid kit](/travel-health/travel-health-checklist) when going on holiday. 

Below, we’ve listed the first aid kit supplies you should have at home. 

## Sterile dressings and plasters

### Plasters

Plasters can be used for small cuts. Ideally you should have a fabric plaster strip, so no matter the size or shape of the wound, you’ll be able to cut the plaster to size. 

### Sterile pads

If a wound needs more padding, you can use sterile pads held in place with tape.

### Sterile wound dressing

A sterile wound dressing is a sterile pad attached to a bandage. These are for larger wounds to apply pressure to help stop the bleeding. They are quick and easy to put on in an emergency.


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## Bandages

### Roller bandages
Roller bandages have a few different uses. They can: help to support joint injuries, keep dressings in place, put pressure on wounds, and help to reduce swelling. 

### Triangular bandages
These types of bandages can be used as a bandage or sling, or as a dressing for larger cuts or burns (as long as it’s sterile). 


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## Protective items 

### Disposable gloves
Disposable gloves can help prevent the risk of infection when you are helping someone with an injury. Use them when you dress wounds or are dealing with body fluids or waste. 

### Face shields or pocket masks
Face shields are used when you give rescue breaths during CPR. They can help prevent the spread of infection.  


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## Other useful items

### Cleansing wipes, alcohol-free wipes 
Cleansing wipes are used to clean the skin around the cut or graze. 

### Gauze pads as dressings 
These can be used to clean around the wound or as a padded dressing.

### Sticky tape 
Sticky tape can be used to secure sterile pads or other types of bandages to your skin.

### Pins and clips 
Pins and clips are needed to keep bandages in place.

### Scissors
Scissors can be used to cut bandages or dressings to the right size. They may also be needed to cut someone’s clothes so you can clean and dress their wounds. 


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References

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