A well-stocked first-aid kit is a necessity in every home.

The first-aid kit should be kept in and easy to reach place. It is best to keep one first-aid kit in your home and one in each car. Also be sure to pack a first aid kit when you go on vacation.

How to make a First Aid Kit

Choose containers for your kits that are roomy, durable, easy to carry, and simple to open. Plastic tackle boxes or containers for storing art supplies are ideal, since they're lightweight, have handles, and offer a lot of space.

The following items are basic supplies. You can get most of them at a pharmacy or supermarket.

Bandages and dressings:

• Assorted sizes and shapes of Band-Aids
• Sterile gauze pads and adhesive tape
• ACE bandage for wrapping wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries
• Triangular bandage for wrapping injuries and making an arm sling
• Aluminum finger splints
• Eye shield, pads, and bandages

Home health equipment:

• Thermometer
• Syringe, medicine cup, or medicine spoon for giving specific doses of medicine
• Disposable, instant ice bags
• Tweezers, to remove ticks and small splinters
• Sharp scissors
• Sterile cotton balls
• Sterile cotton-tipped swabs
• Blue "baby bulb" or "turkey baster" suction device
• Save-A-Tooth storage device in case a tooth is broken or knocked out; contains a travel case and salt solution
• Safety pins
• First-aid manual

Medicine for cuts and injuries:

• Antiseptic solution, such as hydrogen peroxide or wipes
• Antibiotic ointment, such as bacitracin, polysporin, or mupirocin
• Sterile eyewash, such as contact lens saline solution
• Calamine lotion for stings or poison ivy
• Hydrocortisone cream, ointment, or lotion for itching
• Ibuprofen for pain
• Extra prescription medications
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for upset stomach)
• Laxative

Miscellaneous items:

• Plastic gloves
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Mouthpiece for administering CPR
• List of emergency phone numbers
• Blanket
• Dried food
• Canned goods
• Can opener
• Prescription glasses
• Eye wash solution
• Bottled water

Check your kit regularly, and replace any supplies that are getting low or which have expired.

"If Only I Had Teeth Down There." Is the Rapex Condom a Solution to Rape?

WIN a year's supply of Contact Lens Cases