I blogged about miss going back to school. I sometimes wish I never had to grow up and graduate levels so I get to be pampered by my parents to the core. It's funny how my parents (both of traditional Chinese heritage) would freak out every time I leave home without my lunch and my first aid pouch!
My parents started to routinely make me bring a small pouch bag of first aid kit when I was in high school. I didn't like it in the beginning but eventually, i realized how necessary it was for kids. My best friend in school at one time had a headache prior to an exam and good thing I have my kit with me so I was able to give her a medicine. A P.E. classmate got a cut and I gave him a bandage. Another classmate got her menstrual period and I gave her immediately a sanitary napkin. Although I never really got to use much of my kit's content, but I sort of became a class nurse for bringing first aid stuff. I was proud of being remembered more first than the school nurse. Ah well, my parents had to do the weekly refill of course, especially on the rubbing alcohol. Ha ha those were the days that just to have clean hands, I need to carry a big bottle of rubbing alcohol with me!
College was the same except for some great changes. I got a
Burberry overnight pouch as a gift from my parents and it all contained my first aid kit this time with the contents got smaller and more handy. Time evolved!
If you are in school, it would be good if you bring with you a first aid kit for high school and college as you never know when you or someone you know will need its' contents. If you are parents, I would start thinking of packing for your son or daughter a first aid kit. A good kit of supplies is a great school gift. Packing the basics with information on how to use the supplies is cool!
Remembering my teen to college days, these are the most essential for me:
- Adhesive bandages in all sizes
- Non-stick gauze to cover larger wounds
- Adhesive tape to help secure the gauze
- An Antibiotic Ointment to prevent infections in a wound or minor burn
- Elastic Bandage to wrap and provide compression for sprains and strains
- Ice Pack for when an injury first occurs
- Acetaminophen - great for headaches and pains
- Ibuprofen - also great for headaches and pain from inflammation or swelling
- Diphenhydramine - for itchy bug bites and allergies like Benadryl
- Cough drops / sore throat lozenges - great to soothe minor throat pain like Strepsils
- Tweezers for removing splinters
- Thermometer
- Eye wash - I recommend Eye-Mo still
- Anti-bacteria Hand Spray - I recommend what I always carry with me - Hygienix - because it's handy and formulated to keep hands soft and smooth
Packing up a few first aid essentials is not embarrassing for teens! It is actually a great gift. My parent's made sure I bring it with me all the time because it serves as a reminder to always stay safe and a lesson in how to take care of problems while away from home. All that - in one kit!
