What to put in your holiday and home first aid kit

A holiday or home first aid kit should include medical supplies, equipment, and medicines for treating minor complaints like cuts, scrapes, grazes, and headaches, as well as real emergencies like severe bleeding or fractures. You can buy a ready-made Regulation 3 or Regulation 7 first aid kit and supplement this with extra supplies suitable for a holiday or home first aid kit.

What’s the difference between a workplace first aid kit and a home first aid kit?

Workplace first aid kits are legally mandated, whereas home first aid kits are not. According to the General Safety Regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, any workplace employing more than five people is legally required to have a first aid box available on site. The regulations further specify the minimum required contents of a workplace first aid kit. First aid kits in higher-risk workplaces must include additional supplies needed to treat injuries likely to occur in that environment.

Another notable difference between a workplace first aid kit and a home first aid kit is that workplace first aid kits generally do not include medicines or drugs, as employers are not advised to dispense drugs to employees. A first aid kit intended for home use, however, can include useful medicines like painkillers, antacids, antihistamines, hydrocortisone creams, etc.

What is a car emergency kit?

A car emergency kit (also called a roadside emergency kit) is a kit designed to equip road users with gear and supplies to manage roadside emergencies like flat tires, engine trouble, injuries, and medical emergencies. A car emergency kit usually contains a home or holiday first aid kit, tow ropes, Q20, safety gloves, an emergency puncture repair kit, a car jack, a torch, a whistle, a reflective vest, a reflective warning triangle, and jumper leads. For families travelling by road over the holiday period, a car emergency kit, including a first aid kit, is a must-have.

Holiday and home first aid kit contents:

A home first aid kit should contain all the contents included in an official Regulation 3 first aid kit:

• 1 x Cetrimide solution (100ml)
• 1 x Gauze swabs (100s)
• 1 x Cotton wool (100gr)
• 2 x Sterile swabs (5s)
• 1 x Plastic forceps
• 1 x Safety pins (12s)
• 1 x First aid scissors (10cm)
• 4 x Triangular bandages
• 4 x Conforming bandages (75mm)
• 4 x Conforming bandages (100mm)
• 1 x Fabric roll plaster (25mm x 3m)
• 1 x Anti-allergic tape (25mm x 3m)
• 1 x Box of plasters (20s)
• 4 x First aid dressing 3 (75 x 100mm)
• 4 x First aid dressing 5 (150 x 200mm)
• 2 x Wooden splints
• 4 x Pairs latex gloves
• 2 x CPR mouthpieces

In addition to the contents listed above, a home or holiday first aid kit may contain the following additional items:

• Thermometer: Digital models are more user-friendly than old-fashioned mercury models.
• Painkillers: For treating headaches and general pain.
• Antihistamines: For relieving mild allergic reactions and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
• Antacids: For easing heartburn and indigestion.
• Electrolyte sachets: Handy to have on hand to prevent dehydration related to vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Antispasmodics: For relieving stomach cramps and muscle spasms.
• Antiemetics: Used for preventing or treating nausea and vomiting, antiemetics are especially useful for preventing travel sickness.
• After-sun gel: Soothes and cools sunburned skin.
• Hydrocortisone cream: Used to relieve itching and skin discomfort related to rashes and insect bites.

Inspect and restock your home or holiday first aid kit regularly

It’s important to regularly inspect the contents of your home first aid kit. Keep the following tips in mind when checking the contents of your kit:

• Check medicine expiry dates: Never use expired medicines; check the expiry dates regularly and safely dispose of expired supplies.
• Keep medicine inserts: Keep medicines together with their informational leaflet and original packaging. Always refer to the insert for correct dosage and warnings.
• Replace used items: Replace used items as soon as possible.

Be prepared to handle injuries and emergencies at home or on holiday by attending a first aid course

Having a well-stocked first aid kit on hand is just one important aspect of making sure that you’re prepared to handle injuries and emergencies at home or on holiday. Learn lifesaving first aid skills – like CPR, bleeding control, first aid for fractures, what to do when someone experiences a heart attack or stroke – by attending an accredited first aid course with Absolute Health Services.

Our experienced first aid instructors don’t just teach theory; they equip you with practical, hands-on skills that give you the confidence and ability to act in an emergency. In first aid training, you’ll get the opportunity to perform CPR on a manikin, splint a limb, practise bandaging techniques to staunch a bleeding wound, and more. Find out more about our first aid courses and book your spot online here.