First aid kits may either be bought or made at home. You can buy a first aid kit online, from a drug store, or your American Red Cross chapter may sell them. Prices range from around $10 for a basic kit to $200 for a professional kit. You can also buy kits designed for either the home, the car, the office, or the outdoors. These kits typically cost under $50. Don’t be afraid to personalize the store-bought first aid kit with your prescriptions, extra bandages, emergency contact sheets, or anything else you might need.

If you choose to make your own kit, buy a portable, lightweight and waterproof container to store the supplies. Plastic tubs, plastic tackle boxes, or art supply boxes all make excellent kits. It may be helpful to purchase all your supplies first, and then look for the container to keep and organize them.

When selecting any kit, think of situations that could cause injury. Injuries are caused by medical conditions, the environment, or trauma. Think of who will be using the kit: adults, children, animals? For a kit outside the home, would you need food in an emergency? What about jumper cables or oil in the car? Ask yourself these questions to help design your ideal kit.

Always remember to update your first aid kit. Check to make it is well stocked, the medicines have not expired, and you have the most recent prescriptions and contact information.