Unsure of What to Put in Your First Aid Kit? Experts Share the Essentials You Need

“Before you even open a kit, the most valuable supply is knowing how to use one,” says Chris Meyer, former Battalion Chief for the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services in Maryland, who recommends signing up for basic first aid and CPR courses (some may be free in your area). “As for the physical contents, a solid kit covers three jobs: cleaning, covering, and, most importantly, controlling bleeding.”

I reached out to medical experts and Meyer to learn more about what to put in your first aid kit, including basic supplies and items you may not consider. Our list includes ready-made first aid kits and first aid supplies to keep at home or the car, or take with you on a camping trip or hike. Keep reading to find out what first aid kit supplies you should have on hand.

Ready-made first aid kits are convenient; they often include essential supplies, like bandages, antibiotic ointment, and more, in a durable bag or box. They’re a great option for those who want to save the time of filling their own kit. Still, creating your own kit or adding to an existing one is worth it. In addition to the basic supplies, you can customize your kit to your specific needs. For example, not all ready-made kits have a waterproof bag, and that’s something to consider if you’re going on a hike or swimming.

“Cuts and scrapes are the injuries a kit gets used for most often, but serious bleeding is the injury a kit needs to be ready for,” says Meyer. “A preassembled kit is usually cheaper and more complete than building one item by item, but check that whatever you buy or build includes real bleeding-control supplies, not just bandages.”

From having your car break down in the middle of winter to needing to remove a painful splinter, some emergencies require more than a bandage. There are several first aid supplies we don’t think about, like an emergency blanket to stay warm, fine-tip tweezers to pull a tick or remove splinters, and more. Most basic first aid kits typically don’t include the supplies below, so consider these add-ons to cover injuries or accidents beyond cuts and scrapes.

Protecting yourself and maintaining proper hygiene are incredibly important for preventing the spread of germs and reducing the risk of infection. Supplies like latex-free gloves and alcohol prep pads can benefit both the injured person and anyone helping them.

A first aid kit should include basics that you’ll actually use, says Dr. Luthar. “For many people, this will include bandages in various sizes, sterile gauze and tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, gloves, tweezers, scissors, a thermometer, and a cold pack,” he says.

• 2 absorbent compress dressings
• 25 adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• 1 adhesive cloth tape
• 5 antibiotic ointment packets
• 5 antiseptic wipe packets
• 2 packets of aspirin
• 1 emergency blanket
• 1 breathing barrier
• 1 instant cold compress
• 2 pairs of non-latex gloves
• 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets
• 1 gauze roll bandage
• 1 roller bandage
• 5 sterile 3 in. x 3 in. gauze pads
• 5 sterile 4 in. x 4 in. gauze pads
• Oral thermometer
• 2 triangular bandages
• Tweezers
• Emergency first aid instructions

While first aid kits are about the products, “real emergencies are about judgment,” says Saravanan Thangarajan, MDS, MMSc, a clinician and visiting scientist at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. “Families should also keep a simple first aid guide, emergency contact information, and the U.S. Poison Control number — 1-800-222-1222 — inside the kit,” he recommends.

Experts agree that the best place to keep an emergency kit is where everyone in the household can find it, whether that’s in the bathroom or the kitchen. Meyer recommends keeping it near a fire extinguisher, if possible, so everyone in your home can find both without asking. “A common mistake people make is burying the first aid kit in a space you don’t use often, such as with the Christmas decor boxes in the basement,” says Luthar.

A portable version for travel or outdoor activities is another first aid kit to consider, says Luthar.

According to Luthar, there are four types of first aid kits: basic household, travel, outdoor, and workplace. “The right choice comes down to matching the kit to where you’ll actually use it,” says Meyer. Here are the various types and the supplies they typically include: 

• Basic household kits: These are for everyday injuries, like a minor cut from a kitchen knife or a minor burn from touching a hot oven rack. “These contain gloves, adhesive bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, instant ice packs, and should include basic bleeding-control items like SEAL [PRO Hemostatic Spray] and a tourniquet,” Meyer adds.
• Travel first aid kits: Always keep one in your car. The bags are typically compact to fit in a vehicle and should contain basic supplies, plus some items you may not immediately think of, such as an emergency blanket. I keep a kit in my car’s trunk for emergencies on the road.
• Outdoor first aid kits: If you like camping or hiking, this is the type of kit you’ll want to take with you. In addition to the standard supplies, they often include extra supplies, such as a flashlight or an emergency blanket, that may come in handy if you’re in a remote area and need to be rescued.
• Workplace first aid kits: These must meet safety requirements and fall into two classes: Class A and Class B. Class A first aid kits contain a basic range of products for the workplace, while Class B has supplies for injuries that may occur in more populated or high-risk environments, such as construction sites or warehouses.

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Other First Aid Kit Supplies to Consider

Meyer recommends a small backup supply of daily or emergency personal medications, such as inhalers or EpiPens. Don’t forget about the kiddos too. “For children, I would add a dated card listing allergies, medical conditions, current medications, the pediatrician’s number, and emergency contacts,” says Thangarajan. “That information may matter more than another box of bandages because asthma, epilepsy, or a severe allergy can change the response completely.” For everyone in the household, include a written list of emergency contacts and medical info like allergies or medications, Luthar says.