So many of us were completely unprepared for the COVID lockdown. The pandemonium caused by last-minute supply foragers taught us it pays to think ahead. Maybe you’ve now got your pantry well-stocked (along with that mountain of toilet paper in the basement), but make sure you’ve got your wellness gear prepped too with these doctor-recommended natural and traditional essentials.
A Fusion of Natural andTraditional Supplies
If there’s one thing we know to be true as parents, it’s that accidents happen. It’s easy to get flustered when your child cuts her finger or suffers a bad scrape from a fall off his bike, but keeping cool when injuries occur helps kids to stay calm. Parents should keep a first aid kit readily available at home, as well as a backup in the car, says Somerset pediatrician David M. Krol, MD. Dr. Krol recommends parents keep these first aid items on hand:
ESSENTIAL ITEMS
- Sturdy, water-proof container (such as a tackle box)
- Emergency phone numbers: family physician/pediatrician;
- poison control center (1-800-222-1222), and police/fire/ambulance if there’s no 911 service
- Medical consent forms in case you can’t give consent yourself
- Medical history forms including a list of all allergies, medications and medical conditions
- First-aid manual
- Bandages of assorted sizes
- Sterile gauze pads (2×2 or 4×4) and rolls
- Elastic bandage (ACE bandage) for wrist, ankle, knee injuries
- Adhesive tape
- Safety pins for wraps or splints
- Triangular bandage for an arm sling
- Antiseptic wipes for cleaning tweezers, scissors and skin
- Antibiotic ointment
- Tweezers for removing small splinters, bee stingers and ticks
- Latex-free gloves to protect your hands and reduce risk of infection when treating open wounds
- Hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds
- Hydrocortisone cream (1 percent) for insect bites, poison ivy
- Ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for young kids
- Instant cold pack
- Dosing instrument
ITEMS YOU SHOULD HAVE ON HAND
- Small scissors for cutting things to the right size, cutting tape
- Resealable bags for ticks, teeth
- Finger splint
- Feminine hygiene supplies (besides the obvious uses they are helpful for wound management). An OB-style tampon can be used for a nosebleed and maxipads to cover a bleeding wound when wrapped with an elastic bandage.
- Lip balm for chapped, sunburned lips and cold sores
- Baby wipes to clean hands
- Extra prescription medications
- Calamine lotion for poison ivy
- Thermometer
- Tooth preservation kit
- EpiPen if your child has allergies
- Petroleum jelly
- Items that are nice to have
- Water bottle
- Bottle of rehydration fluid/electrolyte solution (such as Gatorade/Powerade/store brand)
- Snacks such as crackers
- Clean towel made of microfiber to set things on and contain bleeding
- Blanket