Accidents happen, especially when children are at home, so always be prepared. A first aid kit is never superfluous. Teaching children how to use it will allow them to learn how to take care of themselves in an emergency. Having a well-stocked kit available will help you calm down and worry less during injuries. You can buy one ready to use in a store or on the internet, but making it at home allows you to put everything your child might need in an emergency situation.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Tuning the Kit
Step 1. Determine the size of the kit
When choosing a container, consider how and when it is most likely to be used, but also where it will be stored. If you prepare one for school, make sure it fits in your child's backpack. If he's staying at home, it shouldn't be so big or bulky that he won't be able to take it when he needs it. In order for the container to be practical and at the same time contain everything you need for the child, it must be the same size as a shoe box.
Step 2. Choose a suitable material
First aid kits come in different sizes and are made from a variety of materials. To choose the right one, you should consider the use your child will make of it. If you want to keep it with you at all times, you may want to select a sturdy plastic container, which is practical enough for a full backpack or duffel bag. If you want to use it around the house, prefer a sturdier material, such as metal, tin, or hard plastic. Some additional considerations:
- Make sure the container is waterproof, so that no items are damaged;
- Try using a container with a handle to make it easier to transport from place to place;
- Make sure it's not too heavy a material to lift once it is filled;
- Clear containers help you keep track of items that need to be replaced.
Step 3. Make sure the container can be closed tightly
When not in use, the contents of the kit should be kept out of the reach of your younger children. Consequently, it is essential that the box is equipped with a buckle or other type of closure. That way, you will also be sure that it won't open as your baby carries it from place to place. Of course, remember that the buckle should be easy to open in an emergency. Look for a container similar to the one you use for your child's packed lunch. Since the kit will hardly be used very often, it is good for the child to practice opening it so that he remembers how to do it if necessary.
Step 4. Clearly label the box to define its contents
If you use bright colors, perhaps red, the kit can be seen immediately in the backpack or bag. You should also draw a symbol or attach a sticker that clarifies its function. Generally a medical symbol or a cross is used (usually white on a red background or vice versa).
- The label should make it clear that the kit is for children, in order to distinguish it from the adult kit. You can also add your child's name (example: CATERINA'S FIRST AID KIT).
- Try to store the adult kit somewhere high in the house, where it cannot be touched by your children, and make sure it has a more complex closure, so that it is childproof.
Step 5. Add emergency numbers to the kit
In addition to including all the items necessary for an emergency response, you should include the emergency numbers that may be useful to the child. You will need the following: the emergency room number, 118, a poison center number, your contact details, the number of a trusted neighbor, family member or friend. Each number should be written legibly under the name of the place or person it is associated with.
- You could include a small symbol or image that depicts each place or person. This will help the child to easily locate the number they need in an emergency situation.
- Review the symbols and the list of numbers with the children who will be using the kit, so that they become familiar with the contacts present, understand how to type numbers and who to call in a certain situation.
Part 2 of 3: Kit Contents
Step 1. Create a list with all the items you want to include in the kit
This will not only help you buy everything you need the first time, it will also let you know which products have been used and need to be replaced, expiration dates, if certain items or medicines are missing. You should also go over the list with the child as you fill the container, explaining what each product is called, what its function is, and how to use it.
Step 2. Include several bandages and plasters
Put them all in a specific section of the kit. If the container does not have built-in dividers, place them all in a clear plastic bag, then label it by writing BANDAGES AND PATCHES with a permanent marker. Alternatively, buy smaller plastic containers to slip into the kit. Again, label the container of patches and bandages with a permanent marker. The Red Cross recommends including the following types of products:
- 2 absorbent compression bandages (15x20 cm);
- 25 patches of various sizes;
- 5 sterile gauze pads (8x8 cm);
- 5 sterile gauze pads (10x10 cm);
- Gauze roll;
- Roll of medical adhesive tape;
- One 8cm and one 10cm roll of bandages to wrap your wrist, elbow, ankle or knee in case of injury;
- 2 triangular bandages;
- Sterile cotton balls and cotton buds.
Step 3. Add some basic medical tools
Since the kit is for a child, you don't have to put in any dangerous items. Accordingly, consider the suggested tools based on your child's age and knowledge. These items will help him remove debris and prepare the wound for dressing. Again, keep them in the same compartment as the kit. If the container has no dividers, use a clear plastic bag or smaller container, labeling it with a permanent marker. Here are some of the suggested tools:
- Sharp, rounded tip scissors suitable for children;
- Tweezers;
- 2 pairs of non-latex gloves;
- Mercury-free oral measuring thermometer;
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation mask (with one-way valve);
- Instant ice pack;
- Instant hot compress;
- Hand sanitizer;
- 5 packs of antiseptic wipes or antiseptic spray (for external cleaning only);
- Airtight plastic bags (for disposing of medical waste).
Step 4. Consider adding more items
In fact, it is recommended to include other products in the kit, but it all depends on the size of the container and the place where it will be used. They are mainly recommended for older children, as some can be dangerous for toddlers to handle. Here are some articles you might add:
- Distilled water;
- Eye mask;
- Sterile eye drops;
- Isothermal blanket;
- Aluminum finger splint;
- Safety pins (for easily attaching splints and bandages);
- Turkey pipette or other device that allows aspiration (for cleaning wounds);
- Antibiotic ointment (which contains ingredients such as bacitracin or mupirocin)
- Calamine-based lotion (for stings or poison ivy);
- Hydrocortisone cream, ointment, or lotion (for itching)
- Flashlight and extra batteries.
Step 5. Include medications considering your child's age
If you are old enough to take them yourself, separate them from bandages and other tools. Use a smaller container or sachet, clearly labeling it. You should also add a dispenser for liquid medications and indicate the doses needed for each of them. Here are which ones are recommended:
- Pain relievers and medicines for fever, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen
- Antihistamines to treat allergies and swelling
- Decongestants to treat nasal congestion;
- Medicines to treat motion sickness and other types of nausea;
- Medicines to treat diarrhea;
- Antacids to treat stomach discomfort
- Laxatives to treat constipation
- Small doses of all the medicines that have been prescribed for your child;
- Epinephrine auto-injector (if needed).
Part 3 of 3: Teach him to use the kit
Step 1. Show your child where the kit is
You need to make sure the baby knows where to pick him up in an emergency. The container should be easy to access so that you don't find yourself rummaging around. Choose a specific and visible place, do not change it to allow him to get used to it. Also, it must be out of the reach of your younger children.
Step 2. Review each item of the kit with your child
As you fill it, evaluate each individual product with the baby. Explain what it is and how it should be used. Do it calmly and try not to scare him. Remember one thing: if you give him all the information he needs, he will feel more comfortable in emergency situations. To avoid stressing him out, just talk to him about a couple of articles a day.
Step 3. Prepare a pictogram for each item in the kit
Anxiety can play tricks in an emergency situation, so your child is in danger of forgetting how to use a product even though you have taught them in depth. To help him remember how to use each item, create a booklet with pictures depicting all of the items. You can print a pictogram with the help of photos found online to graphically show him how to use each product. Before putting a pictogram in the kit, go through it in detail with the child. Try making a separate booklet for each section of the container (i.e. one for bandages, one for tools, one for medicines, and so on).
Step 4. Practice with the child
To make sure he is familiar with the kit and its contents, simulate a few situations in order to test it. Ask him to show you how each item should be used. Make sure you do this in a relaxed, uninterrupted environment. To make the situation less stressful, ask him to pretend to be your doctor.
Step 5. Update the kit after each use
Helping you with the checklist, review the content regularly. Be sure to review it after each use to buy out of stock and replacement items. Also, check the expiration date of medicines and ointments. If they are expired, remove them from the container, discard them properly, and buy them again. All reusable items should be thoroughly examined to ensure they are in excellent condition and have not been damaged during use.
