Organize + Energize: Be Prepared. Organize a First-Aid Kit

Organize + Energize: Be Prepared. Organize a First-Aid Kit

We are beginning to spend more time outdoors and with more time outdoors you may find yourself getting acute injuries, bug bites or sunburns.  Are you prepared if there is an accident, a bee sting, a scrape or burn? Do you have a first aid kit, and does everybody in your household know where it is located? Do you panic when you can find a Band-Aid but can’t seem to locate the antiseptic spray, or bee sting relief pad? 

Money and time will be wasted when these items are scattered all over the home. You want to be able to locate an item and locate it quickly when an accident occurs. You don’t want to have to rush out to the store to purchase something you know you have in the home, but just don’t know where it’s located and don’t want to waste time searching for it. 

Now is a great time of year to create a first-aid kit. Keep one in each bathroom or a designated spot in the house. You may also want to keep one in the car, just in case.  Notify everybody in the household where to locate the kit if an accident were to happen.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

If you are confused as to which type of first-aid products to purchase, I have provided a list of suggestions to include in your kit.

•    Tweezers & magnifier for removing splinters

•    Small scissors

•    Benadryl

•    Neosporin/bacitracin

•    Disposable ice pack

•    Alcohol wipes

•    Insect sting relief wipes

•    Peroxide

•    A box of all different sizes of band aids

•    Gauze pads- 4x4 pads or a gauze roll

•    Tape

•    Ace bandage

•    Gloves

•    If anybody is allergic to bees, keep a spare epi-pen in the kit

•    First-aid guide 

•    Anti-inflammatory medication

•    Any trial size products that you find in your travels that you think you might benefit from if they were in your kit.

While you are preparing your first aid kit, also prepare an area to keep sunscreens, SPF lip balm, bug spray and any other items you need to put on before you head outside.

Gather all the first-aid items that you already store in your home. Check for expired items. Categorize and itemize the items you are keeping. You can store your first-aid products in a see through or colorful container, a basket, zippered pouch,  or whatever type of container will fit in the area you are storing the kit. Label if you must.

Again, keep these contained to one area and be sure everybody in the home is aware of where they are stored. Once these items are used, they will be put back in their place and that is how organization will be maintained.

This is a quick organizing project that you can tackle and feel great after you accomplish it. Get prepared now and be ready for when that accident happens. When an accident occurs, you won't be stressed or frazzled looking for items; you will be organized, prepared and you will save time and money. 

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. She has appeared on air on Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio and her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start. She is also available for organizing workshops. Tune into her weekly radio show, Organize, Energize! on talkstreamradio.com.