Build a Home First-Aid Kit

Nearly one third of all injuries happen in the home. Whether you’re dealing with bruises, cuts or minor burns, these go-to wound care products are the key to swiftly treating at-home injuries.

#1 Take care in the kitchen

The kitchen can be a dangerous place: For example, did you know that more than 150,000 emergency room visits each year result from knife injuries that occur in the kitchen? So while you’re having fun cooking in the kitchen with your family, do it safely to prevent injury. Here are a few tips:

• Mind Pots and Pans in Action: Never leave cooking equipment unattended while in use and make sure that handles never stick out over the sides of the range surface.
• Open Pots Away: Scalding is a common cause of kitchen burns; when opening pots, tilt the lid away from you so steam and condensation evacuate farther away from your skin.
• Keep Cutting Knives Sharp: Dull knives are more likely to slip and cause lacerations.
• Cut on Stable Surfaces: Putting a dish cloth under a cutting board can prevent the board from slipping.
• Store Knives Separately: Keep cutting knives in a holder separate from a common utensil drawer; storing them in a drawer can easily lead to accidental cuts.
• Secure Cleansers: To minimize the risk of child poisoning, keep kitchen cleaners in a place that kids can’t access.

When something does go wrong, be sure you have a first aid-kit on hand, stocked with everything you’ll need to handle cuts, scrapes and minor burns:

NEOSPORIN^® First Aid Antiseptic Foaming Liquid to ease pain and prevent infection
NEOSPORIN^® + Pain Relief NEO TO GO!^® First Aid Antiseptic/Pain Relieving Spray to protect against infection and relieve pain on the go
BAND-AID^® WATER BLOCK PLUS^® Clear Bandages for waterproof wound protection
BAND-AID^® Brand of First Aid Products HURT-FREE^® Wrap to comfortably secure dressings to wounds
Inhalers to treat asthma (as directed by your physician)
Scissors to cut gauze and trim bandages
First-Aid manual for quick reference

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#2 Stay safe in the bathroom

Nearly 235,000 people visit the ER each year due to accidents in the bathroom, usually related to slips and falls. And while this is of particular concern for older adults, it’s a risk for everyone. Minimize risk in the bathroom by using slip-resistant mats in the bathtub, using a bathmat with a non-stick bottom and installing wall handles to grab for stability getting in and out of the shower.

In case an injury occurs in the bathroom, your home first-aid kit should be equipped with a wide range of supplies, from bandages and gauze to a thermometer and cold/hot packs. Make sure your products are properly stored to prevent water or humidity damage.

NEOSPORIN^® First Aid Antiseptic Foaming Liquid to ease pain and prevent infection
NEOSPORIN^® + Pain, Itch, Scar to protect from infection, pain and itch while minimizing the appearance of scars later
BAND-AID^® Brand of First Aid Products Gauze Pads to cover cuts and wounds
BAND-AID^® Brand of First Aid Products MIRASORB^® Gauze Sponges to clean wounds
BAND-AID^® WATER BLOCK PLUS^® Clear Bandages for waterproof wound protection
BAND-AID^® Flexible Fabric Bandages to cover wounds
Tweezers to remove splinters or shards
Antiseptic swabs to disinfect minor cuts, scrapes and burns
Thermometer to check for fever

#3 Be prepared in the mudroom

The mudroom is the launching pad for all kinds of backyard fun. So whether you accidentally cut yourself doing yard work, get a mosquito bite while gardening or twist an ankle throwing the ball around, keep a small first-aid kit in the mudroom, where it’s easily accessible – but still protected from damaging temperature extremes. That way, you can treat minor mishaps on the spot.

NEOSPORIN^® First Aid Antiseptic Foaming Liquid to ease pain and prevent infection
NEOSPORIN^® + Pain Relief Cream for Kids to cleanse minor wounds
BAND-AID^® Flexible Fabric Bandages to cover wounds
BENADRYL^® Itch Stopping Gel Extra Strength to treat rashes, bites and allergic reactions
Ultra Strength BENGAY^® Cream to ease muscle soreness
BENGAY^® Cold Therapy Gel for cooling pain relief on contact
BAND-AID^® Brand TOUGH-STRIPS^® Bandages for durable wound protection
Hot pack to soothe sore muscles and joints
Cold pack to reduce swelling
Sterile gloves to avoid transferring dirt and germs

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This article includes information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from the National Institutes of Health.

©Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. 2016