DIY Safety Kits
PURSE KIT:
This is your everyday kit. Take care of it. Replace items, check expirations on RXs at least.
I can't tell you how many times I've used mine for splinters and cuts that could have ruined potentially fun trips!
- You'll need a makeup or pencil-sized bag you can fit in your purse or everyday carry bag.
A pencil case will often do the job. (Try to find small packs and mini size ointment and cream containers.)
- Tweezers
- Misc-sized Bandaids
- Small role of adhesive tape
- Gauze pads
- Safety pins
- Alcohol pads
- Mini Multitool with scissors and pliers and both a flat head and phillips screwdriver
(Victronox or Leatherman-type tools are available everywhere, including Amazon)
- Aspirin and nonaspirin pain relievers (never give aspirin to children)
- Antibiotic ointment
- 1% Hydrocortizone Cream
- Petroleum Jelly (Vasaline)
- 2 non-lubricated condoms (also for water carry)
- Over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others for allergy emergencies)
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Activated charcoal (use only if instructed by your poison control center 1-800-222-1222)
- Menstrual pads and tampons (which as it turns out work for heavily bleeding wounds as well as tinder
for making a fire!)
- Personal medications that don't need refrigeration
- Drugs to treat an allergic attack, such as an Albuterol inhaler or auto-injector of epinephrine
(EpiPen, Twinject, others - If prescribed by your doctor) - Syringe, medicine cup or spoon
- Emergency phone numbers, including contact information for your family doctor and pediatrician,
local emergency services, emergency road service providers and the regional poison control center (see above)
- Medical consent forms for each family member
- Medical history cards for each family member
- Simple First-aid instruction manual (also have a first aid app on your phone)
Extras (If you can fit a few extra things in your bag, here are some suggestions)
- I carry a flint and steel so I can always make a quick camp fire in a pinch. They work even if their wet.
Especially if you have cotton (or a tampon, fluffed up a little, and a pinch of vasaline. Get your tinder,
kinding and firewood ready before hand!
- Eye Wash and and Eye cup can be really helpful things to have.
- Mini Sewing Kit with 1 or 2 needles
- Small amount of fishing line and 1 or 2 hooks and sinkers
- Water-proof Matches
CAR KIT
(This might be overkill for some people so modify as needed but don't leave out anything crucial.)
- You'll need a back pack, small suitcase or duffel bag.
(You can also break the bulk up into smaller kits, but group things logically and have a larger bag in case you have to carry some of it with you, say, on a long walk to the gas station.)
- Enough water, nuts and dried fruit for everyone in the family.
(What if you just get stuck in hours of traffic on a road with no food? Kids get grumpy when they're hungry! You also don't drive as carefully. What if you're radiator springs a leak?). You can include protein bars as well if you like, I find most of them to be full of transfats and nuts are often cheaper, but bars usually have a decent shelf-life as well and in an emergency they can be great. Remember, you want some fat, protein and carbohydrate in your emergency food. Fat is important since it is long-lasting energy and brain power, so don't pack diet food for an emergency!)
- An unbreakable, waterproof flashlight or two! Extra batteries.
(It's hard to do anything in the dark. Invest in a couple of good flashlights of different sizes. Tactical flashlights work as weapons as well. You can strike with the hard metal and the high capacity light will temporarily blind an assailant. You don't have to spend a fortune. Maglights work fine and they come in all different sizes. Surefire is reliable but expensive. There are lots of options out there.)
- An extra cellphone battery or solar charger of some sort
(find one that works, we're still doing the research! Let us know if you know something we don't!).
- Towel
- Small blanket or reflective warmer
- Multi-tool with pliers, screwdriver, metal and/or wood saw, a good serrated knife.
- Change of warm and cool weather clothes for everyone in the family if you can fit them.
- All crucial tire changing tools and a good spare tire should already be in your car at all times
- Candles and matches
- Sunscreen
- Bugspray
If you're going camping or on a long trip you will need to add more to this list:
- A durable, reliable hand-held compass can be of great importance
- water sanitation tablets
- Epi-pen for anyone allergic to bugs
- lighter and waterproof matches (make them by dipping regular matches in candle wax)
- Tent, Shelter or the knowledge of how to create one.
