The CDC reports that 44 percent of Americans do not have a
car first aid kit or any first aid kit at all. However, injuries resulting from accidents are the leading cause of death for people from one-year-old infants to 45-year-old adults. If you need to provide first aid for a family member, a friend, or someone else, you'll want a well-stocked first aid kit in your car.
SureFireCPR.com offers an extensive list of items to include in a first aid kit for your car. You can find that list by clicking on the link above.
If you want a basic list, consider the following items:
- Adhesive bandages in several sizes, gauze pads and adhesive tape for larger wounds, and butterfly bandages to pull two sides of a wound together
- Antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, insect bite relief pads, and hydrocortisone cream to relieve skin irritation
- Eyewash liquid
- Pain-relief and anti-diarrhea medications
- Hand sanitizer and antiseptic wash or wipes for sanitizing hands and wounds
- An Epi-Pen for severe allergic reaction and Naloxone for opioid overdoses
- A thermometer
- Cotton balls and cotton swabs
- Tweezers and a package of needles for removing embedded splinters and stingers
- Scissors
- Nonlatex gloves
- A sling, hot and cold packs, and compression (elastic) bandages in two-inch, four-inch, and six-inch widths
- A thorough illustrated first-aid instruction book
A compression bandage can stick to itself or be fastened with metal clips or a strip of Velcro. Use narrow 2-inch compression bandages for adult fingers and for children's wrists, ankles, knees, and thighs. 3- to 4-inch-wide compression bandages work well on adult wrists and ankles. The wider 6-inch compression bandages are meant for torsos and for adult knees and thighs. If necessary, compression bandages also work as tourniquets.
Slings can be tied to support sprained ankles as well as arms.
Where Should You Store Your First Aid Kit
In a small car without much storage space, keep your emergency first aid supplies in a clear plastic bag. If you have a bit more storage space, a compartmentalized box organizes your supplies and makes them easier to access.
Because some of the items are sensitive to heat, you should keep your first aid kit in the coolest place possible in your car. However, you'll also want to keep your first aid kit within easy reach of the driver's seat in case you need it when you're traveling alone.
Other Emergency Items to Consider
Some standard items to consider keeping in your car along with your first aid kit include:
- A flashlight or headlamp
- Emergency road flares
- Distilled water for your radiator
- Jumper cables
- A spare tire, tire iron, and the correct size tire jack for changing tires
- Bottled water and nonperishable snacks for you and your passengers
- A charger for your cell phone
- Sunscreen
- A supply of your prescription medications
- Disposable CPR masks
- Extra eyeglasses or sunglasses
As your Ford dealer, we want to ensure that you stay safe when you're traveling. So, create a first aid kit for your car if you don't have one, and
call us at Chestatee Ford at 833-246-2685 or visit us at 44 Lumpkin County Parkway in Dahlonega to learn about all of the safety features in Ford's new 2022 lineup.
