DIY Health Toolkit
![First Aid Box](/application/files/7816/6445/3213/doctor-gabef82669_1920.jpg)
It is important that families have their own Do It Yourself (DIY) Health Toolkit to manage minor illnesses or deal with minor accidents and injuries.
The Toolkit should contain:
- age appropriate over the counter medicines for managing minor illnesses
- thermometer
- basic first aid
In your medicine cabinet
It’s vital to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet in your home so you can deal with minor accidents and injuries.
- Many people also keep a small first aid kit in their car for emergencies. It can be useful to keep a basic first aid manual or instruction booklet with your first aid kit
- Medicines should be checked regularly to make sure they are within their use-by dates Don’t give aspirin to children under 16 unless it’s prescribed by a doctor
- Avoid ibuprofen if your child has asthma, unless advised otherwise by your GP
- Check medicines and doses with your pharmacist and read the instructions carefully before giving to your child
A basic first aid kit may contain:
- Plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes
- Small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings
- At least two sterile eye dressings
- Triangular bandages
- Crêpe rolled bandages
- Safety pins
- Disposable sterile gloves
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Alcohol-free cleansing wipes
- Sticky tape
- Thermometer (preferably a digital, ear thermometer)
- Skin rash cream, such as hydrocortisone or calendula
- Cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings
- Antiseptic cream Painkillers such as infant paracetamol for children, or infant ibuprofen
- Children’s antihistamine
- Distilled water for cleaning wounds
- Eye wash and eye bath