What you really need… In a first aid kit

There is no hard and fast rule about what should be included in a first aid kit. It will be fully dependant on how many people are in your family and what you are intending to use it for.

You may wish to have a well stocked first aid kit for the home and a light compact one for days out and travel.

Shop constructed kits can contain lots of items you may not need and they can be expensive. It is worth keeping in mind that products within a first aid kit do expire and will need replacing. Pound shop kits and replacements will do just as well, especially for compact kits suitable for carrying around in a day bag.

There also seems little point lugging around lots of different bandages for slings if you have no idea how to actually use them.

If you have no first aid training, think practically about a typical incident you or your children may face. Commonly, it will involve cuts, wounds and grazes which will need either a possible plaster and cuddles, or a sterile wound dressing for larger injuries.

Ideal first aid kit contents:

Leaflet giving up-to-date advice on resuscitation and basic first aid. Paediatric first aid guides are important if you have children and babies as advice for each varies.

Individually wrapped sterile plasters but be wary of allergies.

Safety pins. Useful for bandages and essential for repairing trousers ripped during soft play sessions.

Medium and/or large individually wrapped sterile wound dressing. They should not stick to weeping wounds and be made of something like Melolin.

Bandage to fasten dressing in place.

Roll of tape to fasten bandage.

Alcohol free antiseptic wipes are not always recommended for children, but having a couple on hand isn’t going to hurt, especially if they have cut themselves in dog poo park.

Keeping a sachet or bottle of infant paracetamol on hand is always useful for the sudden onset of illness and fever. Always read the label.

Antiseptic creams can be useful for yourself and your family’s use.