Be prepared. Yep, the Boy Scouts were right. It’s always a good idea to be ready for emergencies, especially ones that require some kind of medical attention. So outfit your apartment with a first aid kit that can cover you in the event of a minor cooking burn or a serious accident. First aid kits are easy to assemble and a quick trip to the drugstore will buy you a lot of peace of mind.

Why you need a first aid kit
Sure, you probably have some adhesive bandages stuck in the cabinet. Maybe a little hydrogen peroxide, too. So why bother with building a full-on first aid kit? Because you never know when a medical crisis could strike. Accidents and natural disasters happen when you least expect them and if someone in your household or a neighbor is hurt, it might be difficult to get to a doctor or hospital in time. Especially during a flood, storm or other emergency that makes travel difficult. If you have the first aid supplies at home, you can stabilize the situation until you can get proper help. Sometimes a few minutes or hours of basic first aid care can save a life.

In less dramatic situations, it’s still comforting to know that you have first aid supplies readily available to soothe a burn or stop a cut from bleeding. Being prepared with a first aid kit means you’ll feel better faster (and can get back to fixing dinner!).

The whole kit and kaboodle
Now you’re convinced you need to get your hands on a kit ASAP! There are loads of pre-made kits that you can pick up at the local drugstore or purchase online. Or you can make your own by simply stocking up on the basics. Creating a custom first aid kit also means you get to use your favorite brands of products. So grab those teddy bear adhesive strips and make your kit creative!

A lot of organizations like FEMA and the American Red Cross have great checklists for first aid supplies to keep on hand, but here are some basic ingredients of a great first aid kit:

• Adhesive bandages in various sizes
• Gauze bandages and roller bandages in various sizes
• Adhesive cloth tape
• Antiseptic wipes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Sterile eyewash or saline solution
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Thermometer
• Aspirin or other pain-reliever
• Antihistamine
• Bottled water
• A blanket

Once you gather up your supplies, store them in a waterproof container in a cool dry, location. Be sure to let everyone in the household know where the first kit is located, so they can get to it quickly.