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A first aid kit does not replace medical care or emergency services. Its purpose is to keep basic supplies together and easy to find. Store the kit where a responsible caregiver can reach it quickly but young children cannot.
Basic supplies to consider
- Adhesive bandages in several sizes
- Sterile gauze pads and medical tape
- Disposable gloves
- An instant cold pack
- Antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointment approved by the family
- Scissors and tweezers
- A digital thermometer
- An emergency contact card
Recommended family safety resource
Keep Going First Aid
Keep Going First Aid offers organized kits designed to make common supplies easy to locate at home or while traveling.
Explore First Aid Kits →Add family-specific information
Keep written allergy information, parent phone numbers, the home address and a nearby emergency contact with the kit. Medication should remain in its original labeled container and should only be given according to clear parent instructions.
Show the sitter before leaving
Point out the kit, fire extinguisher, exits and emergency contact sheet during the home walkthrough. Explain which situations require an immediate parent call and when to call 911. Never assume a sitter will find supplies on her own.
Check the kit regularly
Replace used or expired items and check batteries in any included equipment. Review the contents after trips, illnesses or minor injuries so the kit stays ready for the next visit.
General educational information only. Follow product instructions and seek professional medical help when appropriate.
Organize supplies for the actual household
Place supplies in labeled sections so a caregiver can quickly find gloves, dressings and a cold pack. Consider a second compact kit for approved outings. Keep medicines separate and inaccessible to children; a stocked kit is not permission to give medication without clear parent instructions. Check whether any adhesive or ointment conflicts with a child's known sensitivity.
Put the information beside the supplies
Keep the home's exact address, parent numbers, an agreed nearby adult and the location of any child-specific care plan nearby. Show the sitter these items before leaving, including how to access them if a door or cabinet is normally locked. State who to call for a serious injury, and do not require a parent call before emergency services when urgent help is needed.
Use a restock routine
Once a month, inspect packaging, replace used items and review expiration dates according to product labels. Restock after an outing or an injury. When children have special medical needs, review the kit and instructions with the appropriate clinician; generic shopping lists cannot account for every family. For the whole home handoff, see the safety checklist.