Car Safety: 4 Tips for Choosing the Best Car First-Aid Kit
What’s a Car First-Aid Kit?
The goal of first-aid is to supply injured persons with immediate care in the event that professional medical treatment isn’t available. Accidents and emergencies can happen anywhere: at work, at home, on the road, and more. Different environments have different risks, and thus different ways to prepare for those risks.
The key difference between a portable/car first-aid kit and a traditional (in home or office/stationary) first-aid kit is the size. In your home, or in any building, you have more storage space than you do in a car. So, your first-aid kit can be large and full of anything you need or want to have on hand for an emergency. A car first-aid kit should be small enough to fit in your vehicle, portable in the event that you need to use it outside of your vehicle, and strategically packed with supplies you might need when you’re out and about.
Why Car First-Aid Kits are Essential
According to the World Health Organization, an average of 1.3 million people die in traffic accidents every year (1 person every 25 seconds). With those being extreme circumstances, the WHO also reports that between 20-50 million people are injured from traffic accidents annually.
Keep in mind that being a good driver doesn’t make you immune to car emergencies. Furthermore, car emergencies go beyond car accidents: you might break down or get stuck in inclement weather. Emergencies can also occur adjacent to our cars: you might get injured on a walk in the park and need your car first-aid kit once you reach the parking lot for example.
Having a first-aid kit available when you’re out of the house can help you in a pinch or save your life in an emergency. Below, we’ll go over 5 things to keep in mind as you select the best car first-aid kit for you.
4 Tips for Choosing the Best Car First-Aid Kit：
1. Know What You Need
As you’re choosing a car first-aid kit you’ll want to consider a few factors.
- First, who is the kit for? A kit for a couple is going to look and be different than a kit for a family of 4+. Is there an infant or elder who might need special care items?
- What risks do you encounter based on your lifestyle? If your child plays baseball on weekends, your first-aid kit might look different than that of someone who spends their free time hiking and mountain climbing.
- Do you have any life-threatening conditions (allergies, asthma, diabetes, etc.) that warrant you keeping medication or equipment handy in your car? If you need to have insulin on hand for emergencies, you might consider cooling options for your car first-aid kit.
2. Know Your Bandages
From household Band-Aids to hemostatic gauze, bandages are a key element to any first-aid kit. The reason they’re especially important to have in your car first-aid kit is because of the variety of emergencies you might encounter.
In the event of a traumatic car accident, hemostatic gauze or an Israeli Emergency Bandage can slow or stop fatal bleeding.
Cohesive and adhesive bandages apply varying degrees of compression, which can provide stability and support in the event of a sprain or muscle tear.
Check out our comprehensive guide to first-aid bandages for more information on different types of bandages and their uses.
3. Customize Your Car First-Aid Kit
As you research different pre-made first-aid kits, you might find that there isn’t one that completely meets all of your family’s needs. If this is the case, then you can create your own car first-aid kit and hand-pick what items to include.
This is a great option if you have diverse interests and want to cover your bases or if you or your passengers have unique medical needs. The goal is to make sure you and yours are prepared for anything, so the best car first-aid kit is going to be unique to you.
4. Don’t Forget the Basics
In addition to making sure you have all your unique items, you’ll also want to make sure your car first-aid kit (whether it’s premade or custom) has all the basics.
- Band-Aids
- Antiseptic spray, antibacterial cream, and/or cleansing wipes
- Medical Tape & Gauze
- Tweezers & Scissors
- Cold Pack
- Disposable Gloves
Bonus: Unique First-Aid Items You Might Not Have Thought Of
- Flares (great for hikers and campers)
- Bug Bite Ointment
- Emergency Blanket (great if you live in a cold-weather climate)
- CPR Mask
- Epi-Pen
- Splints
- Triangular First-Aid Bandages
- Road-Side Marker
- Benadryl, Aspirin, and Ibuprofen
Car Safety: Update Your Car First-Aid Kit
Once you assemble a car first-aid kit, you’ll want to make sure you keep it up to date. Ideally, you won’t have to use most of the supplies, but you’ll want to replace any expired items or medications. Add and remove items as you figure out what fits your lifestyle best, and ultimately, you’ll create the best car first-aid kit for you.
Gauke Healthcare Ltd. is a leading medical supply manufacturer and we’re ready to meet your first-aid kit needs. Choose from our variety of high quality first-aid supplies and pre-made car first-aid kits, or select the create your own option to customize your kit for your needs.
For more information, contact us today with the form below.
