School’s been out here for exactly one week, and I’ve already had to deal with more cuts, scrapes, bites, bruises and sunburns than I can count. You should see the bruise on my oldest boy’s arm, courtesy of a wild pitch when he was at bat. Ouch!!!
Oh, and poison ivy… My kids have a knack for finding a patch in the middle of nowhere. I’m sure you all can relate!
Since it appears that I’ll be pulling out my first aid kit frequently over the next few months, it seems like the perfect time to stock up and make sure I have everything I need on hand.
Your summer first aid essentials may look a little different from mine, but here’s what I grabbed on my last trip to Walmart:
- Value-size Band-Aid Bandages— on rollback for $8.97, this variety pack should (hopefully) last us all summer!
- Equate Triple Antibiotic + Pain Relief — store brand products are a great way to save on first aid supplies. This antibiotic ointment was over $4 less than the national brand!
- Benadryl Itch Relief Stick— I love this little stick for small bites and stings, and we can often find high-value coupons to save on it!
- Equate Ibuprofen— I picked up both the junior strength and adult strength. Mom and dad need a little first aid sometimes, too!
- Alavert— we have several family members that suffer from seasonal allergies, including myself.
- Solarcaine Spray— I try to apply sunscreen when possible, but with the kids running in and out all day long, the occasional sunburn is inevitable. This spray provides cooling relief!
- Ivarest (not pictured) — as I mentioned, my kids seem to gravitate to Poison Ivy, and I’ve found that Ivarest does a great job of calming the rash and itching. In fact, it didn’t even make it into the photo, because someone had already walked off with it, lol!
Don’t worry about picking up a container for your first aid kit. Chances are you already have something laying around the house that will be perfect. I always save the little crates that some brands of mandarin oranges come in, and they’re the perfect size for organizing your first aid kit!
While you’re stocking your first aid kit, it’s also the perfect time to purge any outdated meds. Some products will have specific disposal guidelines on the packaging, so be sure to follow those carefully. If nothing is listed, here are some great tips for safely disposing of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications and vitamins.
We carry large first aid kits in both of our cars, but I also grabbed five of these small travel-size Band-Aid First Aid Kits to put in each of my kids’ sports bags. These are an incredible bargain at just $0.97, and sometimes you can get them for less with a coupon! You won’t find them with the first aid supplies, though — look for them in the travel size section of your local Walmart.
What are your “must-have” first aid supplies for summer?
