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A sensible home first aid kit
Updated October 2026
A small kit, kept in one place, covers most everyday injuries. Here is what to include.
What goes in a basic kit
UK Government advice includes a first aid kit in a basic emergency kit. A sensible starting point:
- Waterproof plasters in a few sizes
- Bandages and sterile dressings
- Medical tape
- Disposable gloves
- Antiseptic wipes or solution
- Eyewash
- Tweezers
- A thermometer
- Hand sanitiser and wet wipes (useful when the water is off)
You can buy a ready-made kit or build your own. A ready-made kit is a good start, and you can add to it.
Medicines and personal items
- Keep your regular medicines together, with a written list of what you take.
- Keep any emergency medicines you have been prescribed, such as an inhaler or an adrenaline auto-injector, where you can find them quickly.
- Add any extras that suit your household, such as glasses or baby supplies.
Always follow the label and the advice of your pharmacist or doctor on any medicine.
Keep it ready
- Store the kit in one place everyone knows.
- Check dates and replace anything used or out of date about every six months.
- Learn the basics. Charities such as St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross run first aid courses.
For anything serious, call 999. For non-urgent medical advice, call NHS 111.
Where this advice comes from
Based on the UK Government Prepare website. This is general information, not medical advice. This guide is general advice for ordinary households, not a substitute for official guidance. In an emergency, call 999.