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Summer break is kicking off all across the country. The best part of summer is spending more time outdoors. While summertime activities are a lot of fun, you’re likely to deal with more stubbed toes, scraped knees, bug bites and sunburn. Oh, and I can’t forget poison ivy. My son has always had a knack for getting into poison ivy.
A DIY Summer First Aid Kit will help you take care of summertime ouchies, and keep your family healthier and happier all summer long. Begin with a container to hold your first aid supplies. You’ll preferably want something with a lid. An old lunchbox or a small plastic tub with a lid work perfectly. Next, make a quick trip to CVS Pharmacy to stock up on some first aid essentials.
Take a look at what’s inside my summer first aid kit. Then please leave a comment letting me know what some of your summer first aid essentials are.
DIY Summer First Aid Kit
Tweezers
Everyone has had a splinter at least once in their lives, and barefoot weather makes it even more likely. Tweezers will come in handy for removing those pesky little splinters.
Bandages and Sterile Gauze
Sterile gauze and bandages are essential for protecting wounds. My first aid kit includes some CVS Sterile Rolled Gauze. Also, included is an assortment of bandages from the CVS Health line like the CVS Health Advanced Healing Premium Bandages, Anti-Bacterial Bandages in assorted shapes that are fun for kids, and Mepiform Scar Treatment silicone sheets to help soften and fade scars. The latter is great for cuts and burns. I also keep a liquid bandage spray handy to provide waterproof protection for minor scrapes and abrasions.
Antibiotic Ointment and Antiseptic Wipes
Both antibiotic ointment and antiseptic wipes are important for keeping wounds clean and to prevent infection. I picked up a couple of CVS Health On-The-Go First Aid Pumps wit Triple Antibiotic Ointment – one for my primary first aid kit and another to keep in the car.
Itch Relief
Whether your child gets into poison ivy, steps in an ant bed or has a run in with a bumble bee, something to provide itch relief is an essential part of a summer first aid kit. Oral Benadryl or CVS Health Allergy Relief both work great. You’ll also want a good topical itch relief cream.
Pain Relief
Over-indulging in summer fun can easily result in the need for over-the-counter pain relief. Be sure to include pain relief that is suitable for both adults and children.
Sun Burn Relief
All that time having fun outdoors can easily result in a sunburn. An aloe gel is a great addition to your first aid kit. I have a can of CVS Health Instant Burn Relief Spray that does wonders to relieve pain from sunburn.
Immune System Boosters
These next items aren’t typical things you would keep in a first aid kit, but are worth a mention since they are especially helpful during the summer months. Summer travel and activities are sure to expose your family to more germs. CVS Health AirShield and Children’s Gummy Dinos will help give that extra immune boost your family will need.
Tip: While you are stocking up your first aid kit, it’s a good time to purge your home of any outdated medication.
Tip: If you are going hiking or camping, I recommend taking a first aid course. I took an advanced first aid course a few years back through my local Red Cross office, and highly recommend it.
I hope this inspires you to make or update your own first aid kit for summer. For an additional resource, the American Red Cross has a great first aid checklist available. Also, if you’re not sure what you need in your first aid kit, you can always stop by your local CVS Pharmacy and ask a Pharmacist for assistance.
That’s a great kit! I just found out today that we’re finally going to be getting a CVS pharmacy. They’re finally making their way to the west coast. 🙂
I have a travel first aid kit in the car, I have one in my purse and I have one in my bathroom at home.
They have come in handy lots of time. Over time my kits get stocked up with stuff and ready for the summer because that is when I use the first aid kits the most.
I need to make one of these asap. They are always good to have on hand but especially in the summer when all those falls, scrapes and bruises seem to happen A LOT!
We’ve already had a few boo boos so far this summer and it’s not even summer yet. Scraped knees and smores incidents.
These are some good things to include. Accidents are bound to happen and there is definitely a lot of poison ivy around here.
This is so important to have around, especially in the summer. We have a lot more boo boos then!
It is always best to keep a first aid kit at home and when we travel. Accidents can happen and we must be prepared.
This is a great idea. I need to make a first aid kit for my home and car.
Great suggestions here! We try to keep a well-stocked first aid kit all year round, but summertime is a great time to check the stash!
YES! I always try to have a well stocked first aid kit around. With 2 little boys in the house, we have a lot of ouchies.