Injuries and illnesses can happen at any moment, so it’s important to be prepared by having a well-stocked first aid kit to hand.

Your kit will help you manage minor injuries or illnesses or provide first aid to a casualty before professional help arrives.

In our latest blog, we explain how to maintain your first aid kit and offer other essential tips relating to your kit.

Choosing a first aid kit that’s right for you

The starting point to maintaining a useful first aid kit is to choose the right one for you.

Here are some of the factors you need to think about when selecting your first aid kit:

Its purpose. Think about what you need from your first aid kit. If it’s to keep at home for minor first aid scenarios, consider a family first aid kit. Or if you’re planning a road trip through the bush, choose a snake bite first aid kit.

Who’s going to use it. Consider how many people are going to use your first aid kit. You’ll need a bigger one if it’s for a workplace employing lots of people. And think about any special items you’ll need — for example, it’s always good to have a thermometer to hand if you have children.

Portable or wall-mounted? Portable first aid kits are great for use in the car or if you’re exploring the great outdoors. Or you may wish to opt for a wall-mountable kit for your workplace so you can position it in an easily accessible place.

Quality. Quality is key when it comes to first aid kits. Know that when you choose a kit from the extensive MediBC range, you’re opting for a superior product, supplied by an Australian-owned company!

Maintaining your first aid kit

Make sure you maintain your first aid kit regularly so that it’s always ready with everything you need.

Take a look at our tips to help you keep your first aid kit in good condition:

Create a checklist. Write a checklist of everything you have in your first aid kit and tick items off as they are used up. This will enable you to order refills promptly so you aren’t left short of something you need in an emergency.

Inspect it regularly. Make a note in your diary to inspect your first aid kit once a month. Ensure that you have all the items you need, and get rid of anything that has passed its expiry date. Know that even items like plasters, bandages and gloves lose their effectiveness over time. You can check their expiry date on the product label.

Your first aid supplies may include a defibrillator. Defibrillators self-test regularly, so you should be alerted by an alarm or flashing light if there is a problem. But it’s still good practice to check the expiration date of the pads and batteries when you carry out your inspection.

Clean and sanitise any instruments like scissors or tweezers. Make sure that any other items are in good condition.

Also ensure that the outside of your first aid kit or the container it’s kept in is clean and dust-free.

Finally, keep a note in your first aid kit of when you carried out your inspection.

Store it in a safe place. Think about where you are going to store your first aid kit. Keep it in a watertight container in a cool, dry place to protect its contents. If you have children, keep it in a safe location out of their reach. Ensure that your kit is labelled and is easy to find — use signage if necessary.

Don’t forget the training! It’s no use having a well-maintained first aid kit if you and the people around you don’t know how to use it. Consider taking a first aid course provided by St John Ambulance Australia or another reputable organisation to learn essential skills.

Australia’s premier choice for first aid kits

Being prepared with a well-maintained first aid kit means you can deal with any first aid scenarios with confidence.

As part of your regular checks, be sure to let everyone in your home or workplace know where your first aid kit is and how to use it.

If you’re searching for a first aid kit with everything you need, check out the MediBC collection. We offer a comprehensive range of kits for the home, workplace and leisure activities.

Know that we only supply the best-quality first aid kits and supplies. Along with our excellent customer service and speedy delivery, you can be assured that we’re Australia’s premier choice for first aid kits!