First Aid
What Should Not Be in a First Aid Kit UK
A first aid kit is a vital part of any home or workspace emergency preparedness. In the UK, first-aid is essential, and you must keep at least one box for each workplace. It is essential to have the right items in your first aid kit, as having the wrong things can be detrimental in an emergency situation. But do you know what should not be in a first aid kit in the UK?
Continue reading this blog to learn more about what you don’t need to keep in your first kit. So join us and expand your knowledge.
Table of Content
What is a First Aid Kit?
In a sudden accident, a first aid kit can save a life. It is a collection of materials and tools to treat a sick or injured person in an emergency.
As per HealthDirect,
A first aid kit is an organised and adequately stocked kit that can give you peace of mind in a medical emergency.
First aid kits are available in various shapes and sizes for different uses. You can purchase this from the Red Cross store, or you may find it at your local drugstore. Each first aid kit typically contains items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, gloves, and other tools necessary for treating common medical emergencies.
These kits are essential for any home, workplace, or public place. It is important to have an up-to-date kit, as medical treatments and products are constantly changing.
What Should Not be in a First Aid Kit?
A first-aid kit is a collection of medical supplies used to treat patients. Many people wonder what should be excluded from a first aid kit. It is not recommended to keep medicine or sharp objects without the approval of medical professionals. Take care of this when you are getting your pack ready.
Follow these guidelines for what you can’t put in your first aid kit.
Paediatric First Aid
- Medicine: Medicines and over-the-counter drugs are unsuitable for a first aid kit in the UK. Only trained medical professionals administer any form of medication.
- Needles: Carrying a needle in the UK is illegal. So it excluded items in a first aid kit.
- Syringe and Injections: Syringes and injections are only suitable for use by trained medical professionals. So, you have to avoid this also.
- Sharps: Any sharp objects, such as scalpels, must not be included in a first aid kit in the UK.
- Inflammable substances: Items that may catch fire or cause an explosion, such as petrol or aerosols, should not be included in a first aid kit.
- Bleach: Although bleach is often used to clean wounds, it should not be included in a first aid kit due to the potential for skin irritation or infection if misused.
What Should be Included in a First-Aid Pack?
It is essential to keep a first-aid kit in your home. It prepares you for medical emergencies like minor cuts, scrapes, and other injuries. It can also store supplies for natural disasters such as power outages or blizzards.
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No matter if you buy one or make it yourself, here is the list of items you must include in your first aid. Ensure you keep minimum requirements in your aid equipment, lock your first aid kit, and keep it out of children’s reach in a cool, dry location.
We’ve compiled a list of essential home first aid kits. Please look over our list.
- Thermometer
- Adhesive bandages of various sizes
- Gauze pads
- Adhesive bandage tape
- Roller bandages
- Triangular bandages
- Antiseptic or cleansing wipes
- Safety pins, Tweezers, and Scissors
- Disposable gloves
- Sterile wound dressing
- Sterile eye pad and eyewash
- Insect bite and sting relief cream or spray
- Water and Non-Perishable Food Items
- Skin rash cream and Antiseptic cream
- Instant Heat and Cold Packs
- Antibacterial hand cleaner
- Disinfectant
- Eye wash
- CPR pocket mask
First Aid Checklist for Workplace
First aid is a legal requirement for any employer to ensure the safety of their employees from any hazards. As per The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981,
An employer shall provide, or ensure that there are provided, such equipment and facilities as are adequate and appropriate in the circumstances for enabling first-aid to be rendered to his employees if they are injured or become ill at work.
So, when putting together the first aid kit, make a checklist and double-check that everything is in your pack.
Here we follow the NHS guideline to prepare a perfect index.
- Plasters (in various sizes and shapes)
- Sterile gauze dressings (small, medium, and large
- Minimum 2 sterile eye dressings
- Triangular bandages
- A roller bandage 4 inches (ca. 10 cm) wide
- Cotton-tipped swabs
- Disposable sterile gloves (2 pairs)
- Tweezers
- Safety pins
- Scissors
- Alcohol-free cleansing wipes and Sanitiser
- Sticky tape
- Thermometer (preferably digital)
- Cream for skin rashes (such as hydrocortisone or calendula)
- Prescription medications (for example, antibiotics)
- Insect sting and bite relief cream or spray
- Antiseptic cream
- Painkillers (e.g. paracetamol or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not for children under the age of 16), or ibuprofen
- Distilled water for wound cleaning
- Burn Stop Gel Packet
- Eye wash and Eye bath
- Basic first aid manual or instruction booklet
Conclusion
So, here you have it! You are now well aware of what should not be in a first-aid kit in the UK. Because this box can save you from a significant mishap, it’s one kind of precaution, so take it seriously whenever you are on the travel, at work, school, or at home. So keep that in mind, and don’t forget to tell your friends about us.
Enjoy your reading!
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]
Q: Are plasters allowed in first-aid kits?
Yes, plasters are a common first-aid item.
Q: How many triangular bandages should be in a first-aid kit?
Two triangular bandages are essential.
Q: What does P stand for in CPR?
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and P stands for pulmonary.
Q: What are things to be avoided by the first aider?
As a first aider, you must avoid issues such as leaning back with a bloody nose or sticking ice on a bruise directly. Don’t give soda to a dehydrated person or give mouth-to-mouth after a heart attack; give a choker the Heimlich.
Make sure that you always check the expiration date of your first aid kit before using it. There are many other issues, but these are the most common, so be careful.
Q: Why should applications be in a first-aid kit?
A first-aid kit can save a life. This box can help prevent worsening and stabilise their condition during severe injuries until professional help arrives.
Apart from practical medical applications, all UK workplaces (including schools) have a legal obligation to ensure adequate health and safety measures under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
First aid shape up one of the core health and safety areas. First aid training for staff helps workplaces meet these health and safety standards set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
