Summer is the perfect season for outdoor fun, but with it comes an increased risk for accidents and injuries. From bug bites to cuts and scrapes, boo-boos are bound to happen. Prepare yourself for emergencies by having a first aid kit ready for when you need it.
In this video, Michael Holmes and Kim-Thao Nguyen share more tips on how you can personalize your own first aid kit.
Follow these three simple tips to help you stock the perfect first-aid kit:
- Customize your kit. There are plenty of recommendations on what to keep in a basic first-aid kit and you can even buy them already assembled. But what makes it truly useful is when you customize your emergency kit based on your and your family’s personal needs and activities. Some ideas include medications (epinephrine injection, insulin), emergency phone numbers, and important health information. Or a bike repair kit if you like to ride. Oh, and if your kids are of the furry type, add some extra supplies for them too. Pets need emergency kits too!
- Keep it handy. Your first aid kit doesn’t do you any good if it’s not easily accessible, so think about the best place to keep it. It could be in your home, your car, at work — or you can have several that you keep in different places. You may want a small one for your purse, diaper bag, or your bike, and a larger one for your home or car.
- Keep it up-to-date. This seems impossible — until you put a reminder in your phone. Do it right now! Set a reminder to check your first aid kit regularly — maybe twice a year, or at the beginning of each season since your supplies may change. Make sure you replace anything that’s expired, check batteries on flashlights or other electronics, and add anything that’s seasonally appropriate (like sunscreen and mosquito repellant for summer).
Basic First Aid Kit Supplies
Use this first-aid kit list as a guide when preparing for emergencies:
|
|
If you’re on the go this summer, make sure you can find doctors, retail clinics, and urgent care centers wherever you are. Download the free IBX app for iPhone and Android devices. It also gives you access to your health info and medications, so that’s one less thing to pack in your kit! And don’t forget, you should always carry your health insurance ID card in your wallet – just as you would your driver’s license or credit cards.
Additional Resources
- Where to go when I need care
- Find a primary care physician
- Find a participating urgent care clinic
- Find a participating retail health clinic
You may be eligible to apply for an affordable health plan today.
Get Medicare plans from Independence.
