Car First Aid Kits

Car first aid kits need to be a part of an emergency kit you keep in your cars at all times.

The average American driver spends 1000 hours a year in their vehicle. If you live in Los Angeles double that!

It only makes sense to have a few things on hand in case of an emergency.

Here we'll tell you the items you should have in your kit. The best kits include extra items you might need, depending where you live.

Remember car first aid kits are not the same as an emergency car kit. An emergency kit includes other items such as blankets, food and a camera and road flares. We have an Emergency Car Kit page. It will help you design a kit that fits the needs of your family and lifestyle.

The Essentials

• Adhesive Bandages: Assorted
• Adhesive tape
• Antibiotic cream: Such as Neosporin or Bacitracin
• Antihistamine: For mild allergic reactions. Try Benadryl.
• Antiseptic wipes
• Aspirin or other pain relievers
• Burn gel: Burnaid is our favorites
• Chemical cold packs: The kind you snap to make cold
• Eye wash: Get the small single use vials
• Latex gloves: Put in a few pairs of these
• Any prescription medications you and your passengers might be taking.
• Sharp scissors and tweezers
• Soap: Look for the gel that doesn't require water
• Sterile gauze: Get a few rolls in different sizes
• Tape a list of emergency phone numbers and medical history (particularly medical allergies) to the inside lid of the kit

• Any prescription you child might be taking including asthma inhalers
• Children's pain reliever
• Children's-strength liquid decongestant
• Extra diapers
• Extra formula, empty bottles and bottled water to mix it with (they sell formula in 4oz servings)

If you travel with your pet add...

• Extra collapsible water bowl with bottled water
• Extra leash and collar
• Milk of Magnesia or activated charcoal to absorb poison
• Your vets phone number

Look for a water proof box or bag for your car first aid kits. A hard sided box if you plan on keeping your kit in the trunk this cuts down on the possibility of crushing your Neosporin (I just hate that). If you plan on stuffing the kit under the seat of your car look for a durable soft sided case.

page is available as a PDF download.

You'll need the free software program Adobe Reader to view this file. You can get that here.

For Other Vehicles

Some of you are ATV enthusiasts. You'll need an ATV first aid kit. Just click here for a list.

If you ride a motorcycle you absolutely must have a motorcycle first aid kit. Burns, insect bites, cuts and scratches the list goes on.

For those of you who prefer 'manual two wheel transportation' otherwise known as a bicycle! You can find bicycle first aid kits in our outdoor section.

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