First Aid Kit Checklist

The core supplies from two kit guides, plus the home and emergency extras worth adding.

A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.

  • First Aid Kit Checklist
  • Wound wash or sterile saline
  • Antiseptic wipes or alcohol pads
  • Adhesive bandages, at least 25
  • Sterile gauze pads, several sizes
  • Gauze rolls and adhesive tape
  • Butterfly closure strips
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Disposable gloves, at least 2 pairs
  • Tweezers and blunt-tip scissors
  • Elastic or compression wraps
  • Splint and triangular bandage
  • Instant cold pack
  • Burn cream or gel
  • Eye wash and eye shield
  • Pain relievers, used as labeled
  • Allergy medicine
  • Hydrocortisone and calamine
  • Personal epinephrine or inhalers
  • Personal and prescription medicines
  • Digital thermometer
  • CPR breathing barrier
  • First aid instruction guide
  • Emergency phone numbers list
  • Health insurance information
  • Medical consent and history forms
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Emergency space blanket
  • Check and restock regularly
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Response Ready and CVS repeat one rule: start every kit with a core set of supplies, then tailor it to the people and place it serves. Response Ready's core starts with at least 25 assorted adhesive bandages and two pairs of disposable gloves. This list groups that core by use: wound care, sprains and burns, medicines, then emergency items and documents. It also includes the home and emergency extras the sources name. It does not cover workplace OSHA kits or how to treat an injury. Follow the instructions on medication labels and any guidance from your health care provider.

Why these items are on the list

  1. Wound wash or sterile saline. CVS lists both wound wash and sterile saline for irrigation and flushing.
  2. Antiseptic wipes or alcohol pads. Response Ready wants at least 10, individually wrapped. CVS starts its kit with alcohol prep pads.
  3. Adhesive bandages, at least 25. Response Ready's minimum is 25 in assorted sizes. CVS also starts with assorted bandages.
  4. Sterile gauze pads, several sizes. Response Ready lists 3x3 and 4x4 inch pads. The CVS video picks 2x2 inch pads.
  5. Gauze rolls and adhesive tape. Response Ready lists 2- and 4-inch rolls and 1-inch tape. CVS lists adhesive tape.
  6. Butterfly closure strips. Response Ready's home list adds these for wound closure without stitches.
  7. Antibiotic ointment. Both guides list it. Response Ready suggests packets.
  8. Disposable gloves, at least 2 pairs. Response Ready specifies nitrile. CVS lists latex-free gloves.
  9. Tweezers and blunt-tip scissors. Response Ready uses tweezers for splinters and ticks. CVS lists both as basic tools.
  10. Elastic or compression wraps. Response Ready lists 2-inch and 4-inch wraps for sprains and compression. CVS lists compression wraps.
  11. Splint and triangular bandage. CVS lists a splint. Response Ready adds a triangular bandage for slings and immobilization.
  12. Instant cold pack. Response Ready lists a cold pack. CVS suggests hot and cold compresses.
  13. Burn cream or gel. Response Ready lists burn cream or gel packets. CVS adds an emergency burn gel.
  14. Eye wash and eye shield. Response Ready suggests sterile saline eye wash, 4 oz minimum. CVS adds an eye shield or patch.
  15. Pain relievers, used as labeled. Both name acetaminophen and ibuprofen. CVS says follow the label and any provider guidance.
  16. Allergy medicine. Both guides include an antihistamine. Follow the label or your provider's guidance.
  17. Hydrocortisone and calamine. Both guides list them. Response Ready names calamine for insect bites and rashes.
  18. Personal epinephrine or inhalers. CVS lists personal devices like EpiPens and inhalers. Response Ready lists epinephrine if allergies are severe.
  19. Personal and prescription medicines. Response Ready adds copies of prescriptions. CVS suggests personal medicines that don't need refrigeration.
  20. Digital thermometer. Response Ready lists it for home kits. CVS includes a thermometer as a basic tool.
  21. CPR breathing barrier. Response Ready lists a face shield or pocket mask in its core kit.
  22. First aid instruction guide. Both sources include written first aid instructions in the kit.
  23. Emergency phone numbers list. Both include poison help. Response Ready gives poison control: 1-800-222-1222.
  24. Health insurance information. CVS suggests keeping it in the kit, including member phone numbers.
  25. Medical consent and history forms. CVS lists both forms for everyone in the household.
  26. Flashlight and extra batteries. Both Response Ready and CVS list a flashlight with spare batteries.
  27. Emergency space blanket. Response Ready lists one for car kits. CVS lists it under emergency components.
  28. Check and restock regularly. Response Ready's workplace guidance says to inspect kits and replace used or expired items.

Retailer guides spread the supplies across several kit types and product links. This list combines both guides' items, noting where they agree, and drops the product links. You can tick each item as you stock or restock, and share the list so the household checks the same kit.

When to use it

Use it when you build a household kit, and again whenever items have been used or are near expiry.

Sources

More lists

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