Emergencies never give prior hints but it can disturb your routine and Mental peace. You should be fully prepared for it to avoid any pain or unwanted situation. A sudden fever, a small cut or migraine are very common. But if untreated, it can spoil your important meeting, special day or many plans. So, a basic home medicine kit can give you a fast relief without any unnecessary panic. No matter if you are living with family or alone in a flat, a well-stocked home medicine kit should always be prepared to protect your health. Read this article to understand how a medicine kit can protect you and your family from many difficult times.
Reasons to prepare a Home Medicine Kit
Emergencies don’t wait for your doctor’s visiting hours. Suppose you are in migraine pain during mid-night. You can’t go to any pharmacy or doctor at that time. Not only you, even your family members can lose sleep because of your pain. So, everyone should always have a kit ready to:
- Have a relaxed time with your family.
- Avoid late-night doctor visits.
- use during lockdowns and natural disasters.
- Treat minor injuries and illness.
Where should you store your Medicine Kit?
Suppose you have prepared a kit but have no idea where to store it. You should always store Medicine Kit in a:
- Cool and dry place to avoid humidity and moisture.
- Locked cabinet so that children and pets can’t use it.
- A place which is accessible to everyone at home so you can use it immediately during an emergency.
It is always a better idea to prepare multiple kits at home, car or office.
Essentials for home medicine kit:
Here is a list of important items for a Home Medicine Kit:
- Adhesive bandages to cover blisters or minor cuts.
- Medical tape to secure gauze.
- Tweezers to remove debris
- Sterile gauze pads for bleeding.
- Antiseptic wipes to clean wounds.
- Burn cream to relieve sunburn or minor burns.
- Hydrogen Peroxide for disinfecting deeper wounds.
- Scissors to cut tape, clothing or bandages.
- Disposable gloves to prevent infection.
- Instant cold packs to treat swelling and bruises.
- Don’t forget to add pain relievers, Antihistamines, Cough suppressants, Antacids, Oral rehydration salts (ORS), Expectorants, Decongestants, Topical antihistamines etc.
Apart from these items, you should have some important tools like Digital thermometer, Pulse oximeter, Glucometer, Blood pressure monitor, weight scale etc.
Essentials for hygiene:
Hand soap, Alcohol-based hand sanitizer, Sanitary napkins, Face masks, Thermometer probe covers, Cotton balls, Eye wash solution etc. These things can ensure hygiene to protect your body from any infection.
Emergency info list:
Sometimes, the human mind doesn’t work properly during an emergency. To avoid any delay during this panic situation, keep a printed or hand-written note in kit:
- List of emergency contact numbers.
- Prescription copies
- Quick Reference guide
- Medication chart
- List of family allergies.
How to organize this medicine kit
A proper arrangement can save time and lives during emergencies. Here is a way to keep everything neat and effective.
- Use zip pouches for medications and tools.
- Stick a note on every box or bottle like kids medicine, pain relief, bandage etc.
- Label expiry dates in colored stickers.
- Don’t keep out-of-date medicines at home.
- Check medications and expiry dates every 3 months.
- Restock supplies regularly.
Mistakes that you should avoid
- Expired medication loses potency so make sure to check dates before using as expired medicines are unsafe.
- Don’t store it in a cold or humid place as moisture can spoil items.
- Keep adult and children’s medicines separately.
- Mark dose limit properly as overdose can have serious results.
- Don’t give any medicine to infants or toddlers without a doctor’s prescription.
Always make sure to have diaper rash cream, Pediatric saline nasal spray, Teething gel, Baby paracetamol/ibuprofen and Infant thermometer for infants or toddlers at home.
For elderly family members, you should be extra careful. Tools like knee supports, blood pressure monitor, glucose monitor are essential.
Essentials for travel kits:
If you are planning to travel then your kit must have motion sickness pills, water purification tablets, sunscreen, insect repellent, antibiotics etc. If you forget to bring these things, your trip planning can be ruined and you may end up with collecting bad memories.
Conclusion
A Home Medicine Kit is not just a kit, it’s a lifesaver. No matter what the problem is, being prepared in advance can save you from a big loss. So, take some time to go out. Not for fun, but for yourself and your family. Get these essentials, label it and store it in a safe place. Avoid any moisture or humidity place to keep it safe. You will get a peace that you can handle common medical emergencies at home without rushing to any pharmacy during odd-hours. Advance preparation can give you a lot of peace and happy moments with your loved ones.