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If there's one thing parents of rambunctious toddlers know, it's that you should always expect the unexpected.
That means being prepared for every scenario, even when you don't yet know what it is.
In terms of toddler safety, that means having a First Aid Kit ready to go at all times.
In terms of toddler safety, that means having a First Aid Kit ready to go at all times.
If you don't already have one waiting in the wings for its time to shine, now is a good time to make sure you're always prepared for the unexpected.
What should I have in my First Aid Kit for my toddlers?
A First Aid Kit for your kids should be equipped with the basics you'll need for cleaning and treating minor wounds, child-safe medications, plus an emergency contact list with written phone numbers for your pediatrician and dentist, your local poison control, and emergency services. It should also list any known allergies for your children.
First Aid Kit Essentials
Your First Aid Kit should have an assortment of:
- Bandages (different sizes and shapes)
- Sterile gauze pads
- Medical tape
- Blunt-tipped scissors
- Antiseptic wipes
- Cotton swabs or applicators
- Petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment to use as a barrier over minor cuts
Beyond wound care items, your kit should also have other handy tools, like:
- A digital thermometer
- Disposable non-latex gloves
- Fine-tipped tweezers for removing splinters or ticks
- An instant cold pack
- A space blanket
- A flashlight with extra batteries
A First Aid Kit wouldn't be complete without other staples, like:
- Infant / children's liquid pain relievers, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen (confirm the proper dose based on your child's weight, and just a friendly reminder that you should never give aspirin to a child under the age of 12)
- Oral dosing syringes or cups
- An antihistamine (like Benadryl)
- Calamine lotion
- A 1% hydrocortisone cream
- Saline drops
This might seem like a lot to pull together. Fortunately, the Red Cross has already done the hard work for you, so instead of curating your own kit, you can find one that's ready to go and has everything you'll need.
TwinsyTwins Shop
Canadian Red Cross First Aid Kit
Fast Care at Your Fingertips
This comprehensive safety kit includes all of the essentials you would need to provide quick care in an emergency, from antiseptic wipes, to bandages and gauze, to instant cold packs and burn relief gel, and more. The outside of the bag has a reflective strip, so you can spot it quickly in low-light and/or stressful situations.
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Canadian Red Cross First Aid Outdoor Kit
A Kit for Your Car
This kit is filled with items you may need while you're enjoying time outdoors. In addition to your standard wound care items, this particular kit comes with sunscreen, a tick remover tool, and Castile Soap Wipes.
You might be wondering what Castile Soap Wipes are. A lot of First Aid kits include your run-of-the-mill alcohol or antiseptic wipes, which do a great job of cleaning scapes and cuts BUT they also cause a sharp stinging when they're placed on open cuts. Not fun, but necessary to clean cuts—when you don't have anything else suitable on-hand.
If your kid is dealing with the trauma of a painful scrape, the last thing you want to do is make it hurt even worse.
Castile Soap Wipes can thoroughly clean cuts and scratches gently without the sting you get from sterile antiseptic wipes, which means you can effectively remove dirt and debris from their boo-boos without causing any unnecessary pain while you do so.
All of this is to say that if you do opt for the non-outdoor First Aid Kit, you might want to grab these Castile Soap Towelettes to complement your kit because they do all the cleaning without any of the stinging.
Curate your kit specifically for your kids
If your kids have sensitive skin, complement your kit with some bandages that won't wreak havoc on their wound.
Although our twins are identical, they have different levels of sensitivity in their skin. One can tolerate standard bandages, while the other tends to get redness and irritation from the adhesives used in those bandages, so we make sure to always have a stock of these specially formulated bandages on-hand.
Safety first
Beyond babyproofing your home to prevent common childhood injuries, you'll want to make sure you're prepared for the incidents that might occur when you least expect them.
You should keep a First Aid Kit in your home and another in your car, so that you're ready whether you're at home or on-the-go.
Make sure other caregivers or babysitters know where it's stored (and keep it out of reach of young children, of course).
Check it from time to time and replace items you've used or that are old or expired.
Check it from time to time and replace items you've used or that are old or expired.
One other tool you might find useful to have on-hand at home or in your car is the LifeVac.
It's a portable airway suction device you can use for choking emergencies, and it comes with two mask sizes (adult and pediatric). Even if you never have to use it (which, hopefully, you won't!), it'll give you peace of mind knowing you're prepared for a scary situation you'll hopefully never have to experience.
Beyond these helpful tools, it's also important to have practical First Aid skills, so if you haven't already, you should also think about taking a First Aid & CPR class. You can find classes close to you by reaching out to fire departments, hospitals, or the Red Cross chapters in your area.
What do you have in your First Aid kit? Let us know in the Comments section below or connect with us on Instagram to share your thoughts!
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