Health Begins at Home:
Stocking Your Family Health Kit

Cough drops, bandages, ibuprofen, hydrogen peroxide, hand soap, and cotton balls

Whether you're shopping for school or heading out to Giant Eagle^® to stock up on groceries, now is a great time to stock up on family health supplies. A little extra time spent preparing goes a long way when you or a family member needs a remedy for a minor ailment. Not all items recommended in our guide are curative either — some can prevent minor hurts and illnesses from happening in the first place!

Use our tips as a checklist for stocking your medicine cabinet or first aid kit, and keep everyone healthy this year!

Family health kit guidelines

While many of the items in a medicine cabinet or first aid kit should be used in the event of cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns, or other minor injuries, other items can be used every day for other purposes. This checklist helps you identify what to stock.

Standard items in every family health kit
Other nice-to-haves in your kit
People with special health needs: health kit must-haves

Standard items in every family health kit

Top Care^® acetaminophen, assorted strengths and varieties — You can use acetaminophen to lower fevers; reduce inflammation and swelling and treat minor headaches, muscle aches or other aches and cramps.
Top Care^® bandages, assorted sizes and varieties — Bandages cover minor cuts, scrapes and skin lacerations, protecting them from infection and irritation. Some varieties are waterproof, so you can wear them while in the shower, while swimming or while working in the garden.
Top Care^® cold and cough medication, assorted sizes and varieties — Various types of cough and cold medications treat various symptoms, including congestion, runny nose, dry or wet cough, and in some cases, fever. Review this guide to cold medications and choose the type you need. (Hint: Stock up on Top Care^® cough drops to soothe sore, itchy throats!)
Antibacterial gel, spray or ointment for cuts and burns — Antibacterial solutions prevent cuts, scrapes, burns and other minor skin lacerations from developing infections. Many also contain elements that soothe irritated skin.
Top Care^® antibacterial soap — Washing your hands before dressing wounds or tending to a sick loved one prevents infection from spreading. Be sure to lather your hands thoroughly, wash all hand surfaces for 15-20 seconds, rinse your hands carefully, and dry them on clean, sterile paper towels prior to treating someone.
Giant Eagle^® rubbing alcohol — Alcohol works well for sterilizing medical supplies like thermometers as well as work surfaces you might use to treat wounds — such as a table or countertop.
Thermometer — A thermometer is a great way to check if you or a loved one has a fever, which may be a sign of illness.
Gauze pads — Use gauze soaked in antibacterial solution to clean, disinfect and dress minor cuts, wounds, scrapes, and lacerations. Gauze also serves double-duty as a bandage when fastened to your skin with adhesive tape.
Adhesive tape — Use adhesive tape for firmly securing larger bandages or affixing bandages to unusual places (such as covering blisters on the backs of your heels).

Other nice-to-haves in your kit

Antacids — These work well for settling indigestion or sour stomach. If you don't take them yourself, keep a pack on hand for guests.
Aloe lotion — This cool solution soothes sunburn and dry skin.
Top Care^® sunscreen — UV rays can cause sunburn and further damage year-round, so be sure to apply sunscreen for any outdoor activity taking place during peak sun. (Peak sun is defined as any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) Be aware: Sunscreen has a shelf life! If you've had the bottle for over two years, or the sunscreen is past the expiration date stamped on the packaging, it's time to toss it!
Top Care^® lip balm — In warm weather, apply a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or more to guard against sunburn. In cold or dry weather, apply a lip balm with moisturizing agents to soothe dry skin.
Top Care^® hand sanitizer — Stave off a cold or the flu by frequently reapplying hand sanitizer at work or at school. Choose from assorted scents and varieties, including portable sizes.
Scissors and tweezers — These tools work well for removing splinters and changing bandages.
Rubber gloves — When dressing wounds or treating a sick family member, wear a pair of surgical-grade rubber gloves to prevent germs from spreading.

People with special health needs: health kit must-haves

An epinephrine pen and a phone number for the closest emergency room for a loved one who has a food allergy or insect allergy.
Glucose and insulin supplies and equipment for a loved one with diabetes.
Prescription medications — Do not store prescriptions in the bathroom or kitchen. The warm, moist environments of these rooms cause medications to break down or deteriorate, which will make them ineffective — or even cause you to become sick. Store all medications in a dry, room-temperature area out of the reach of children.
Emergency contact numbers and Giant Eagle^® pharmacy numbers — Even if your numbers are programmed into your phone, paper copies will come in handy if your phone (or your home) loses power.

Just a little preparation — and a few supplies — ensures ongoing preparedness and good health for you and your family this year.

Sources

The National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/)

The Department of Homeland Security — Ready.gov
(http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/firstaidkit.html)

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration
(www.fda.gov)

Important Physician Advice Disclaimer: The content provided by Giant Eagle^®, including but not limited to, Web site, recipe and health information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician for professional guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under the age of 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems.