<p>Whether our kids use the kits or not, I feel better knowing they have some first line tools in case they do have an emergency.</p>
<p>Mine used the thermometer. I also gave her directions that if it was above 102, she was to seek medical attention, which she did at least once.</p>
<p>There is a big difference between a basic first aid kit and an emergency preparedness kit, although a first aid kit should be part of an emergency preparedness kit. As far as what I sent with my D to college- ibuprofen, allergy medications, sudafed/cold meds, cough drops, band aids, a cold pack, an ACE wrap, triple antibiotic ointment/neosporin, a thermometer, ICY/Hot patches and burn ointment. All of the consumables except the cold pack had to be replenished. She said she was the medicine cabinet for her floor because nobody else was as well stocked as she was. </p>
<p>She also had a flash light, which she balked at when I packed, but then there was Hurricane Sandy. They didn’t end up losing power, but she had it ready just in case and it gave her a little relief that she did have it.</p>
<p>For emergency preparedness, the government has a very good site that will give you some ideas: [Basic</a> Disaster Supplies Kit | Ready.gov](<a href=“http://www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit]Basic”>http://www.ready.gov/basic-disaster-supplies-kit)</p>
<p>The one thing I keep stashed now, after the blackout of 2003, is cash. I rarely use cash for anything but when stores are functioning with calculators and flash lights and can only take cash and the ATMs are all out of commission, it is NOT good to be without cash. I had none when the lights went out and that was an awful feeling.</p>
<p>Thanks every one – I really appreciate the ideas and lists of items I didn’t consider. I guess I get kind of freaked out this time of year as we get closer to that awful day. </p>
<p>Good point barnardmom about the difference between the 2 kits. I have always had a very basic one at the office but I was reviewing its contents and felt like I should seek outside counsel on what I’m missing. I would hate to have one of my employees injured by flying glass and we’re not able to get help for hours.</p>
<p>Cash is a good idea. I didn’t think of that. I’m assuming an assortment of smaller bills would be better than a couple of hundreds.</p>
<p>Phone numbers is key. Let’s say you get to a pay phone. How many numbers would I remember without having my cell phone up and running?</p>
<p>And yes, S when he’s at college probably won’t use anything I send him with, but I do think he might feel lousy at 2 am when the health center is closed and maybe he’ll use something that makes him feel better.</p>
<p>Pay phones? Where would you find one of those? Most have been removed around here and the very few left use phone cards, not cash.</p>
<p>We spend about 6 mos. a year in Florida and 6 mos. in CT. We Keep a large rubbermaid tote filled with emergency supplies in each location that are packed with appropriate supplies for the area plus medicine, phone numbers, and copies of important documents. We check the supplies every year. We also have ponchos, duct tape, glo sticks, batteries, lantern (oil and battery), gloves, knife, and handcranked radio that you may want to consider adding.</p>
<p>A hand crank flashlight is great for an emergency kit. No leaky or expired batteries to deal with. We have one in every car. They are cheap and available at Target & Walmart. </p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Hand Crank Flashlight: Patio, Lawn & Garden](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Kingsmart-Hand-Crank-Flashlight/dp/B0043SD6YW]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Kingsmart-Hand-Crank-Flashlight/dp/B0043SD6YW)</p>
<p>I’m a First Aid instructor and what you put in a kit should depend on your kids ability & willingness to use it. The basics would be bandaids, neosporin and possibly an ace bandage if they are prone to spraining body parts. Anything beyond that and they probably should go to the campus health center. </p>
<p>For meds, I think people covered it: advil/pain reliever, allergy meds, cold meds, and immodium. Let them know, one of the best ‘meds’ for an upset stomach is a regular (not diet) Coke.</p>
<p>^^OK, I’ll ask, nj2011mom: Why not Diet Coke?^^</p>
<p>A true first aid kit should have disposable gloves - you don’t want to take care of any bleeding without putting on gloves first. I work at as school and was recently trained to use an epipen and even then the first step is to put on gloves.</p>
<p>My kids have used most of the things sent in their first aid/health kit over the years. The one thing I sent that S swears by is the bottle of vitamin C tablets. He primarily takes them when he starts to feel a little off and he hasn’t been sick so far in 3 years. Who knows if it really helps, but we restock him when he runs out.</p>
<p>There’s something in Coke syrup that settles the stomach. It’s a secret recipe, so I’m not sure what it is. (When I was in college, it was my go-to hangover remedy. You may not want to pass that gem along!).</p>
<p>My DS is a rising junior. He has first aid kit which he wants to take back each year. The things he uses most are the cold medicines and the ice packs (for bumps and bruises) and moleskin for blisters along with bandaids. </p>
<p>Everything else has been “just in case”. If it hasn’t been mentioned, a thermometer is good, too.</p>
<p>Definitely have disposable gloves, cpr mask.</p>
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<p>The point of a first aid kit is to have something “just in case.” I think it’s fantastic when the first aid kit is never needed, but if you do need something, it’s there for you. I had a sort of first aid kit when I went to college because my mom always liked to pack things just in case. I didn’t use everything, but it was nice to have a band aid in my room when I got a cut than to have to go buy a band aid when I needed one. I also had a lot of friends and roommates that never seemed to have any medicine, band aids, or anything, really, so I usually gave them what they needed, until they could buy something. It just seems silly to me to live anywhere without basic supplies (band aids, cold medicine, ibuprofen, etc) for when you get sick or hurt and don’t want to run out to the store.</p>
<p>I also just grabbed what was in my medicine cabinet at home, though, so I didn’t have to buy anything. Since it was just me, I didn’t need a lot of anything. So I just took little containers of whatever I used from home, so there was no need to purchase anything new. If it was something I was the only one at home who used, I just took the whole thing.</p>
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<p>I just took a walk around the block. There are 8 payphones within a 1 block radius. I tried 4 of them – 1 doesn’t work, but the other 3 do, and they take quarters.</p>
<p>I have emergency supplies stashed in many places. We live in an earthquake zone. Keep in mind that you might not be able to get in your house after an earthquake. Bandaids? Three places: car, bathroom, garage. Bottled water (2.5 gal containers): house, garage, car. Tylenol: car, bathroom, garage. Reading glasses and a book of poetry? Car. Flashlight app on the iPhone, real flashlights in a bunch of locations. Cash? Car, garage, safe. First aid kit that goes beyond bandaids and tylenol? Car, office. Protein bars? Car. Bicycles: garage, office. Candles and matches: kitchen drawer. Dog food: garage, kitchen.</p>
<p>Wait - there’s a flashlight app for the iPhone? Does it work if all cellular communications are down? I guess even if you can’t use your phone to call, the intense blue light it gives off could act as a flashlight.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip about stashing supplies in multiple places, dmd77.</p>
<p>I always include sudafed. Since you have to show ID and get it behind the pharmacy counter, I figure it’s a hassle if you’re really feeling sick.</p>
<p>For the office (not the college student) I would recommend a one way mask for CPR to avoid transfer of fluids and in a larger office ask them to purchase an AED, an automatic defibrillator that can be used by almost anyone and is available for under $1000. It is required in most schools and medical/dental offices in most states and cna literally save your life.</p>
<p>Wow jandjdad - thanks for that tip - do you need special instruction on how to use the defibrillator correctly? And the one way mask - this is different from the white quasi-fabric ones that have the metal pinch over the nose that basically filter out dust? Are these all available through the Red Cross?</p>
<p>Classof2015—better than a flashlight app, at least for those who cannot read menus in dark restaurants, is the MagLight app. I think it activates the phone’s camera and then illuminates the menu (or whatever you are trying to read). The text appears on your phone’s screen as long as you do not hold your finger in front of the camera lens. Sliders allow you to adjust the magnification and brightness. It is so helpful, but perhaps not what one needs in a first aid kit.</p>
<p>I carry band-aids and Advil/Tylenol with me every day. My boys are both in high school, but still look to me for band-aids. I used to keep all kinds of things stashed in the center console of my car, and since I drove the same car for thirteen years, a lot had accumulated. The new car has a refrigerator box in the center console so I am still trying to figure out where to stash essentials. (Glove boxes have gotten much larger.) I always have quarters but those are for parking meters, and I agree about the flashlight. Those mini Mag Lite ones are handy.</p>
<p>dmd–is your garage not attached to your house? Just curious…</p>