Once you know what should be in a first-aid kit, you can put the essential items together yourself in a waterproof box or buy a pre-assembled kit from a pharmacy. Store your first-aid kit in an area of your car that stays relatively cool since heat and sunlight can degrade certain products, like medicated creams and ointments. It’s also a good idea to have copies of important health forms in your car, including:
Contact information for your family doctor or pediatrician, local emergency services, emergency road service providers, poison helpline (800-222-1222 in the United States), and family or friends Medical consent forms for each family member Basic medical history forms for each family member
Be sure to include butterfly-shaped bandages which can be used to hold two sides of a wound together. You might also want bandages that are waterproof or include antibacterial medication. You might also include a type of liquid bandage—a waterproof adhesive that only needs to be applied once and may speed healing. You can apply antibiotic ointments directly to a wound or to an adhesive bandage or gauze pad before covering the wound. These formulations can help stop the growth of bacteria that can cause infection and slow healing. Antiseptic wipes are a handy alternative. Recommended by the Red Cross for medical care on the go, these wipes can also be used to disinfect your hands before you administer first aid. An instant cold pack that turns icy when a substance inside is activated (usually by shaking or bending the ice pack) is an important addition to your first-aid kit. Consider keeping several in your kit, since instant cold packs can be used only once. Recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), tooth preservation kits contain a saline solution that is ideal for keeping a dislodged tooth in good condition before you get to the dentist. You can buy these kits through your dentist or online.
