The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and it’s blissfully quiet for once. Suspiciously quiet. You start walking to the backdoor to check on the kiddos when you hear a loud bang followed by a scream. Moments later, your child comes barreling in the door sobbing about whatever traumatic incident just occurred. If you’re a parent, this situation is probably a common, if not everyday, occurrence for you. While we can’t solve all of life’s problems, we can help when it comes to first aid! 

Why You Need a First Aid Kit

There are a multitude of reasons why you should keep a first aid kit on you at all times. For one, if something does happen, you’ll be prepared! It’s difficult to predict when and where something will go wrong, so it’s best to be ready at all times. 

Also, if you administer first aid quickly and properly, you can reduce the risk of a minor injury worsening. For example, say wild child number two got a cut while playing with something they probably weren’t supposed to. In an ideal situation, you’d clean it up, smear some triple antibiotic on it, slap a bandage on, and call it a day! In less-than-desirable circumstances, you don’t have a first aid kit on hand and have to run and grab the necessary supplies. In the time it takes to treat the wound, bacteria could enter the cut and cause an infection. Not only is this miserable for your child, it will take longer to heal, and the doctor’s visit will cost you. In the long run, it’s simply cheaper and more efficient if you carry a kids first aid kit around with you. 

What You Need in a First Aid Kit

Of course, a first aid kit would be pretty useless if it didn’t have any first aid supplies (and if your kit is empty, you’re in the right place to fix that)! However, the contents of your kit will vary depending on the age of your children and what activities you all will be participating in. 

Basic Supplies

These are the things that every kids first aid kit needs to include! With these on hand, you’ll be prepared for most minor, everyday injuries you’re likely to come across. For example, these could include slivers, minor cuts, bumps, bruises, and even sprains.

• Antibiotic Ointment
• Antiseptic Wipes
• Bandages (lots of them)
• Benadryl
• Bug Repellant
• Burn Gel
• Gauze & Gauze Pads
• Hand Sanitizer
• Instant Cold Pack
• Ibuprofen
• Pain Relief Ointment
• Saline Wash
• Splint
• Triangle Bandage
• Tweezers

Mini Me Modifications

Kids under a certain age may need things specifically designed for their age range. Also, if you have a particularly wild or needy child, it never hurts to keep some extra things on hand! 

• Change of Clothes
• Child Strength Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen 
• Epi-pen (if someone has severe allergies)
• Lockable Container for Medications
• Small Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Nail Clippers
• Tissues/Wipes

For the Ultra-Prepared Parent 

Few expect a potentially fatal emergency when they start their day, but it’s never an impossibility. Having the following gear on hand can be life-saving for you and those in your care. 

• Gloves
• Chest Seals
• Emergency Pressure Bandage
• Hemostatic Gauze
• Space Blanket
• Tourniquet
• ZZIPS

Why You Need Training

First aid for minor injuries is easy. If your kiddo falls and scrapes their knee, it’s an easy fix. Just clean the area, rub on some ointment, slap a bandage on, and convince them to stop crying like they lost a finger or three. However, if your child has a sudden allergic reaction, do you know what to do? Can you avoid panicking and follow the necessary steps to keep them safe? 

Emergencies are scary, especially when it’s your child. If the situation’s dire and you don’t know how to address the issue, their life could be at risk. That’s why it’s absolutely essential that you know how to treat more serious injuries. Knowing what to look for will also help you understand if you need to take your kid to the hospital or if it’s safe for you to treat them at home. Some things you should know how to recognize and address are:

• Allergic Reactions
• Broken Bones
• Choking
• Fevers
• Ingestions
• Respiratory Problems
• Seizures
• Vomiting

These are just a few of the things you need to know to protect your child. It’s borderline impossible to know how to treat everything, but being able to cover some of the common emergencies is a great place to start! Be sure to take a parent’s first aid training course so you’ll be able to address the aforementioned ailments so you aren’t helpless if they do occur. 

Other Things That Come Into Play

Life happens. You never know what may happen, but that’s okay! So long as you’re prepared to the best of your ability, you’re doing great! Here are just a few more things to keep in mind.

Your Behavior Matters

Children naturally mirror their parents in certain aspects. Behavior is one of them. If you panic over a scratch, they’re going to panic too. If they’re really hurt, you freaking out isn’t going to do anything. In this situation, they’re looking to you for both comfort and support. The best thing you can do besides promptly treating them is to keep calm and talk to them soothingly. Assure them that everything will be alright and that you’re there for them. Kids who see their parents keep calm despite the emergency will at the very least panic less. 

Quick Response Time

In emergency situations, time is of the essence. Having a first aid kit readily available no matter where you are can help you respond quickly and appropriately. It can also help prevent the situation from escalating further while waiting for medical professionals to arrive. This is another reason why you need to take a first aid kit everywhere with you and have some sort of first aid training.

Peace of mind

If you’re someone who naturally worries a lot, knowing that you have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand can help you relax while you’re going about your day. You'll be prepared for whatever situation arises and can feel confident in your ability to handle it. Also, you can totally jot this down as a self-care technique! If it helps you worry less, it counts!

Having kids can be a lot of work and first aid for them can seem daunting, but you’ve got this! You’re doing great, and just by reading this you’re on your way to being an even better parent! Parenthood is a journey, and this is just another step along the way.