Keeping a first aid kit in your car is important. Having one there means you can treat yourself or someone else for small cuts, scrapes, and bumps in the road. It’s also handy for treating more serious injuries until help arrives or you can get to a hospital. While it’s not necessary to build your own kit from scratch, prebuilt kits are convenient and have all the things you need in one place. Fortunately, prebuilt first aid kits with everything you need to treat minor wounds and cuts are widely available and affordable, usually selling for less than $20. As an added bonus, some of them are so compact that they fit into a glove box or center console. Here are six reasons why having a prebuilt first aid kit in your car is a good idea:
You’ll have what you need on hand
First and foremost, you’ll have everything you need in one place. This is particularly useful if you have a small child in the car who, while they can’t do major first aid, can use a bandage to stop a cut from bleeding. More importantly, you can treat yourself for minor injuries and cuts that you may not even notice, saving yourself a trip to the doctor. Prebuilt kits usually include bandages for cuts, and a variety of creams and ointments to prevent infection and treat allergic reactions. Some include antiseptic wipes, which are excellent for cleaning cuts and scrapes, preventing infection, and stopping the bleeding before you put a bandage on. They can even be used to clean dirty hands in a pinch.
A prebuilt kit means no wasted space or effort
If you put together your own first aid kit, you’ll have to decide what to put in it. But that’s not such an easy task, because you have no idea what you might need. A prebuilt kit, on the other hand, has everything you might need already organized for you. You can choose one for your car that includes all the basics you need in the event of a minor injury. Or, you can choose one that has everything you’ll need for more serious injuries, too. Depending on the size of the kit, you may be able to put it in the glove box or center console of your car. This means it won’t take up much space and you can always have it with you, no matter where you go.
You’ll have basic tools for more serious injuries.
Many prebuilt kits have bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, and other items you can use to treat serious injuries, like a broken bone. A kit that has these basic tools is a wise investment if you have kids and you drive often. For example, a broken bone may not seem like a big deal, but it can be. Bruising is an injury that can lead to a blood clot. If no one treats the injury and it goes untreated, the clot can break loose and start moving through the bloodstream. This can lead to pulmonary embolism, which is a serious, life-threatening condition. With proper first aid, however, you can stop the bleeding and prevent clots. If you have any injury like this, you must get to a medical professional as soon as possible. A first aid kit is only a way to keep this under control until you can see a doctor.
It can prevent further injury while you’re waiting for help.
There are many ways to treat a minor injury, but for more serious wounds and injuries, you need to control the bleeding. If you don’t do this, blood loss can cause more serious complications, like shock. This can lead to organ failure and death. Depending on the injury, you may have to apply pressure with a clean cloth or bandage to prevent further injury while someone calls for help.
Having first aid basics in your car is just smart safety.
Unfortunately, car accidents are common. The CDC estimates that there are more than 2 million car accidents a year in the United States. This includes fender benders, traffic jams, and more serious accidents. Even if you aren’t in a serious accident, you may end up with small cuts from broken glass. Having a prebuilt first aid kit in your car means you’re prepared for anything. You can also have a first aid kit in the home, in your office, and in your child’s backpack or school bag, too.
It’s easy to use and you don’t need any training
Prebuilt kits are designed with the average person in mind. You don’t need to be a doctor to use them. In fact, many come with instructions on how to use the items in the kit. Simply open the bag, find the needed item and start using it. While you don’t need to be a doctor to use the items in a prebuilt first aid kit, it’s a good idea to take a first aid training course. Even if you’ve had basic first aid training before, it’s easy to forget how to use different items. You may not even know that there are several types of bandages or which one you should use. Taking a refresher course can help you stay safe.
Bottom line
It’s not necessary to build your own first aid kit from scratch. Prebuilt kits are convenient and have everything you need in one place. Simply choose one that meets your needs and save yourself the time and effort of putting one together yourself.