Baby safety equipment First aid kit contents

Keep a well-stocked first aid kit for your child's safety

First aid kit essentials

Keep your first aid kit stocked up for when accidents happen. Your first aid kit should contain: 

• Infant/child thermometer (preferably digital and not one containing mercury, as this can be a hazard if damaged)

• Child and infant liquid pain reliever

• Oral syringe or calibrated cup or spoon for administering medicines to infants and children

• Small roller bandage

• Large roller bandage

• Small conforming bandage (these shape themselves to body contours)

• Scissors

• Pack of gauze swabs

• Two triangular bandages (can be used as slings)

• Safety pins in various sizes (for securing dressings)

• Hypoallergenic tape (for securing dressings)

• Two sterile pads

• Waterproof plasters

• Finger bandage and applicator

• Tweezers

• Sterile dressing with bandage

• Vinyl gloves

• Mild liquid soap (most antibacterial and deodorant soaps are too strong for babies' sensitive skin)

• Calamine cream

• Antibacterial cream

• Sting reliever spray

• Eyewash solution

First aid kit tips

You can buy ready-stocked first aid kits from supermarkets and chemists, but remember to replace items as you use them, or add extras to your first aid kit from the list above so you're fully equipped.

Keep your first aid kit in a waterproof container large enough for the contents to be arranged so that items can be found quickly. A plastic container with a closely fitting lid would be suitable. 

It's a good idea to label your first aid kit so it's easily recognisable. Standard labelling for a first aid kit is a green background with a white cross.

Keep your first aid kit in a secure box out of your child's reach and check the contents regularly in case anything needs to be replaced. 

Make sure that other adults who may look after your baby at home know where the first aid kit is.