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It’s an anticipation of injuries (however sad such thoughts may be). You gather all of the necessary supplies, stacking bandages and iodine into a box. There is no emergency you aren’t prepared for. Every complication can be combated with ointment and gauze. Your children — despite their admittedly impressive abilities to discover trouble — will be protected. There’s no small disaster that can challenge you. A first aid kit is filled with all things essential.
That belief, however, is wrong.
Too often do mothers assume that only the standard items (such as adhesives) should be placed within their kits. There is no space to spare, it’s believed, for anything more; all inches must be devoted to gauze.
While such a notion is understandable, it is also incorrect. There are three components that are often forgotten when compiling a kit — and this must change. These can, after all, become vital in situations that are rarely considered.
One: Flashlight. The notion of tucking a flashlight into a box seems to be a waste. None can imagine a use for it. Should the electricity suddenly fail, however, you can find yourself stumbling about the house. Having a light in your kit ensures that you can access its contents when you need them and also can move more freely.
Two: Blanket. Often first aid is limited to the home. It should also, however, travel in the car. If an accident occurs on the road (leaving you stranded), a blanket is essential in maintaining warmth and deterring hypothermia.
Three: Scissors. It’s always an assumption that bandages can be simply stretched, that adhesive tape will unravel. Should you be panicked, however, you may find such things difficult. Scissors are needed to ensure precise cuts.
Your first aid kit is not the tribute to safety you thought it was. It can be improved, though, with simple additions and an understanding that accidents are not always what we believe them to be.
