By The Chronicle Staff

When a minor injury or unexpected emergency happens, having a well-stocked first-aid kit within easy reach can save valuable time and help prevent a situation from becoming more serious.

Health experts recommend keeping at least one first-aid kit in the home and another in the family vehicle. The kits should be stored in locations that are easy for adults to access but out of the reach of young children.

Older children who are mature enough to understand their purpose should know where the kits are kept and when to ask an adult to use them.

According to the Mayo Clinic, first-aid kits can be purchased at most pharmacies or assembled at home to meet a family’s specific needs. Those who spend time outdoors, travel frequently or participate in sports may want to customize their kits with additional supplies.

A basic first-aid kit should include a variety of bandages in different sizes, adhesive tape, elastic wrap bandages, nonstick sterile dressings and roller gauze.

Other recommended supplies include cotton balls and swabs, disposable nonlatex gloves, scissors, tweezers, safety pins, instant cold packs, an aluminum finger splint and a large triangular bandage that can be used as a sling.

Other useful items include antiseptic wipes or solution, antibiotic ointment, eyewash solution, sterile saline for flushing wounds, petroleum jelly, hand sanitizer, a thermometer, a breathing barrier or surgical mask, and a first-aid manual.

A flashlight with extra batteries, waterproof matches, duct tape and assorted plastic bags can also prove useful during emergencies.

The Mayo Clinic also recommends including a rubber tourniquet, a 14-French catheter, an eye shield or eye pad, a syringe or medicine cup, a bulb suction device for wound irrigation and hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting.

A first-aid kit should also contain medications commonly used to treat minor illnesses and allergic reactions. Examples include aloe vera gel for burns, calamine lotion for itchy skin, hydrocortisone cream, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cough and cold medicine, antacids, anti-diarrheal medication, laxatives and over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Individuals who have been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector for severe allergic reactions should also keep one in their kit, along with any personal medications that do not require refrigeration.

Experts also encourage adults to keep aspirin in a first-aid kit because it may help someone experiencing a heart attack. However, aspirin should only be taken after calling 911 if an adult has new or unexplained chest pain or other signs of a possible heart attack.

The person should chew a regular-strength aspirin unless they are allergic to aspirin, have a bleeding disorder, take blood-thinning medication or have been advised by a healthcare provider not to take it. NOTE: Aspirin should never be given to children.

In addition to medical supplies, emergency information should be included in every first-aid kit. Keep a list of emergency phone numbers, including healthcare providers, pediatricians, roadside assistance services and the Poison Control Center. In the United States, Poison Control is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-222-1222 or online through Poison.org.

Families may also want to include copies of medical consent forms, medical histories and health insurance information for each household member.

Other emergency items worth packing include a notepad, waterproof pen, emergency space blanket, sunscreen, insect repellent and a cellphone charger powered by solar energy.

A first-aid kit should be inspected regularly to replace expired medications, replenish used supplies and ensure items such as flashlights are in working order. Marking the date the kit was last checked can help families keep track of routine maintenance.

Knowing how to use the supplies is just as important as having them. The Mayo Clinic encourages families to consider taking a

first-aid course through the American Red Cross. The organization also offers age-appropriate classes and educational resources that teach children how to recognize emergencies and safely provide basic first aid when an adult is available to help.

A few minutes spent assembling and maintaining a first-aid kit today can provide peace of mind and help families respond more confidently when accidents happen. ■