What Items Should You Be Carrying In A First Aid Kit?

No matter what workplace you operate in, guaranteeing the safety and wellbeing of your employees or coworkers is always a top priority.

And while you employers can do a lot to keep their staff safe at the workplace, accidents can and do still happen. This is where a simple addition of a first aid kit can make all the difference in helping those in need get vital medical care. But for many workplace managers, knowing exactly what should be included in a first aid kit can be quite a struggle.

In this post, we will be exploring what must-have items you should include in a quality first aid kit. You will also find out how you can get first aid kits and supplies you can rely on to support your staff during emergencies or injuries. Read on to learn more!

1. Gauze Pads

Gauze pads are a versatile item that should be included in every first aid kit. They can help treat a variety of injuries, including cuts, scrapes, and even burns. They are applied to the site of injury to slow bleeding or to seal it from infection.

Gauze pads can also be used to help with dressings that may need to be applied to prevent infection or to aid healing.

They are commonly included in many first aid kits but you can also buy them separately too, typically in nylon or cotton. When shopping for gauze pads, be sure to buy ones that are:

• Sterile – To prevent infection
• Porous – To help circulate air on the wound
• Absorbent – To help curb bleeding, particularly for cuts and grazes

2. Bandages

Like gauze pads, bandages can effectively help similar workplace injuries like cuts and burns. They may be used to reduce bleeding, to keep an area free from infection or even to help a gauze pad stay in place while you wait for medical assistance.

Bandages can also be used for suspected bone fractures or other muscle and bone injuries like sprains. This helps reduce further injury and allows the area to heal. They can be tied, hooked or stuck in place with an adhesive – depending on the type of bandage you buy.

3. Scissors

Scissors are a straightforward but important item for a quality first aid kit, especially if you are handling long rolls of bandages or gauze pads. They are usually used to cut and shape bandages, but may also be needed to remove items of clothing that may be aggravating injury or are unable to be removed by the wounded person. Ensure your scissors are dull, clean and carefully used to prevent any further injury or cause an infection.

4. Tweezers

Tweezers are used to remove splinters or other dangerous items from a wound, such as glass. These foreign objects should be removed with care and caution with a pair of clean tweezers.

If you operate in an outdoor workspace or in an industry like manufacturing, you will want to make sure your first aid kit includes a pair of tweezers in the event a material cuts or enters someone’s skin.

5. Disposable Gloves

When tending to a wounded individual, you will want to reduce the risk of it being infected, especially if you are then going to cover it up with a gauze pad or bandage.

Gloves are an effective way to minimize the risk of infection. Be sure to never reuse gloves and dispose of them after use. Before purchasing the gloves, be sure to check if anyone in your workplace has any allergies, including the first-aid provider. Some disposable gloves are made from materials like latex or nitrile, which can cause an allergic reaction in rare cases.

6. Antiseptics

Antiseptic creams or wipes are excellent for reducing the chance of infection and helping a wound heal, especially for lighter wounds where the individual will not receive professional medical attention. Simply apply a small amount on the cleaned area or gently wipe the area with an antiseptic wipe.

When running a maintenance check on your first aid kits, make sure your antiseptic creams are not too far from their expiration date. In some workplaces where accidents are far and few in between, it can be easy to forget to update any medicinal products in your first aid kits. Generally, antiseptic products lose efficacy after a year past their expiry and will become less effective, increasing the risk of infection.

7. Cold Pack

As the body naturally attempts to heal an area, the site of a wound, burn or break may inflame. While helpful to aid in healing, inflammation can cause significant pain for the wounded or injured person.

To help cool the area and reduce pain, a cold pack should be added to your first aid kit. Aim for an instant cold pack that can be activated quickly by squeezing the bag so it does not need to be refrigerated or frozen ahead of time.

You can also use cold packs for staff who may feel unwell due to chronic conditions like migraines or fibromyalgia. When giving a person a cold pack, be sure to wrap it and instruct them to take breaks from applying it. This is because extended use of cold packs on direct skin can cause ice burns or frostbite.

Buy A First Aid Kit From Crownhill Packaging Today

Having looked at the key items you will want in a first aid kit, you are now more prepared to handle an emergency or injury at your workplace knowing you have the right items to support you.

If you are looking to purchase a first aid kit for your facility, consider buying them from Crownhill Packaging. We are a proud distributor of Canada’s St. John Ambulance products, known for meeting and exceeding federal and provincial standards for first-aid items.

Our first aid kits include not just the items listed above, but even more useful items that can help protect staff safety and wellbeing, such as:

• Defibrillators
• Bio-waste bags
• Heart rate monitors
• Protective face equipment
• And more!

We also provide first aid kit supplies, helping you keep your first aid kit well-stocked to handle an emergency.

See more about our first aid kits here, or contact our team to learn more about purchasing a first aid kit.