A first aid kit is a must in every household. And yet, we bet a lot of you haven’t checked those medicine expiry dates in years. Or, all your medications are just chucked in a box (guilty as charged!). But all that’s about to change. Let Eve Mizzi from Ducks in a Row Home Organisation take you through how to organise your first aid kit.
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Words by Eve Mizzi
Whether you’re dealing with a scraped knee, a sudden headache, or something more serious, having a well organised first aid kit can make all the difference. You want to be able to grab what’s needed quickly without rummaging through a cluttered box, right?!
Our step-by-step guide will help you create a first aid kit that’s efficient, easy to use and perfectly organised.
Step 1: Gather your supplies
Start by getting all your first aid items in one place. Check all the places you might have supplies stashed — drawers, cupboards, your car or bags.
Sort through your items and discard anything that’s damaged or expired. Take note of any items you might be missing.
Things you may wish to include in your first aid kit include:
- Pain relief medications (like paracetamol or ibuprofen)
- Thermometer
- Tweezers and scissors
- Antiseptic wipes and creams
- Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
- Sterile gauze pads and tape
- Gloves (non-latex)
- Burn cream or gel
- Emergency contact information card.
Step 2: Categorise items
Organising is easier when similar items are grouped together. Divide your supplies into categories such as:
- Wound care: Bandages, gauze, antiseptics
- Medications: Pain relief, antihistamines, anti-diarrhoea tablets
- Tools: Tweezers, scissors, thermometer
- Emergency supplies: Gloves, burn cream, CPR mask, emergency contact list.
Step 3: Choose the right container
When it comes to how to organise your first aid kit, it’s all about finding the right container. Your first aid kit container should be durable, portable, and easy to open.
Some popular first aid container options include:
- An all-in-one grab and go caddy
- Plastic bins with compartments
- Clear lidded storage boxes
- A fabric travel bag with multiple sections.
Opt for something compact yet spacious enough to hold your essentials. Clear containers make it easy to spot what you need at a glance. You can use zippered pouches, smaller labelled containers, or resealable bags to keep each category you identified in step 2 tidy.
Step 4: Label everything
Labelling may take time in the beginning but will save time during emergencies. Use a label maker or waterproof markers to clearly mark each section or container. For example:
- Pain relief
- Cold and flu
- Cuts and scrapes
- Medications
- Burn care.
Pro tip: Place a label on the outside of the kit with your family’s contact details and a list of what’s inside for quick reference.
Step 5: Store it safely
Your first aid kit should be easily accessible yet out of reach of small children.
Ideal spots to store your first aid kit include:
- A high shelf in a linen or hallway cupboard
- Under the kitchen sink (if secured)
- In a designated drawer.
You may like to consider having multiple kits — one in the main living area and another in your car or travel bag.
Step 6: Maintain regularly
An organised first aid kit needs occasional TLC. Schedule reminders every 6 months to check expiry dates, replace any used or missing items, and refresh any medications and bandages.
Keeping an organised first aid kit means you’re always prepared.
A well-organised first aid kit is a small effort that can have a big impact in critical moments. Follow these steps to create a kit that brings peace of mind to your household. And remember, at Ducks in a Row Home Organisation, we’re always here to help you bring order to your home and life.
We hope this article has given you some tips on how to organise your first aid kit. Are you inspired to give it a go? Or maybe you’ve got a question for our expert, Eve Mizzi? Chat to us in the comment section below.
Check out more home organisation tips here
Meet the expert
Eve Mizzi is the founder and head organiser at Ducks in a Row Home Organisation. She loves nothing more than sorting, clearing and organising all day long. Based in Melbourne, she and her dedicated team help busy people get their homes tidy, feel less stressed and give them back more time to do what they really care about.
Website: yourducksinarow.com.au
Instagram: @yourducksinarow
