by BOB Gear on September 6, 2016 in Active Parenting

Essential First Aid Kit for Family Outings

Family outings are a great way to be together and get out of the house. No matter how old your little ones are, there are tons of activities you can enjoy—whether it’s a day at the park, a weekend festival or a stroller-friendly run. Any time you go on an outdoor adventure with the kids, you should prepare for the unexpected. Your BOB Gear stroller has plenty of room for essential supplies so you’ll be prepared for anything while you’re out and about.

One Bag Fits All

Make-up bag with a zipper: Try to collect all of your necessities and put them in an easy-to-grab zip-up bag. Spare make-up bags often end up piling up in the cabinets, so they’re perfect for holding all your first aid essentials.

For Cuts and Scrapes

Bandages: It’s a good idea to bring a wide assortment of bandages in different sizes and shapes for scrapes and cuts.
Disinfecting wipes: Before wrapping up any injuries with bandages, be sure to clean them with disinfecting wipes to help prevent infection.
Adhesive tape: Adhesive tape comes in handy when you need to tape up a bandage.
Travel scissors: Carry a little pair of scissors to help cut bandages and tape.
Cotton balls: Cotton balls are perfect for applying all types of topical medicines to cuts or scrapes.
Gloves: Gloves should be worn any time there is blood involved.
Antibiotic ointment: Antibiotic ointments like Neosporin are great for treating cuts and scrapes. Put a little ointment on a band aid before placing it on the wound.

For Aches and Pains

Kid-strength pain relievers: If your child comes down with a fever or is suffering from the pains of teething during an all-day outing, you want to have pain relievers on hand that are mild enough for their age range.
Kid-strength antihistamines: The outdoors are filled with all types of plants and wildlife. You never know what your younger little family members will be allergic to. In case of a rash or another type of reaction, bring along kid-strength antihistamines.
Tweezers: Kids love exploring the outdoors, but jumping and climbing can lead to splinters. Bring some tweezers for quick removal.
Bug spray/calamine lotion: Spending the day outside is a lot of fun, but the bugs can put a damper on your plans. If your bug spray doesn’t ward off the pests, soothe any bites with calamine lotion.

For Protection

Hand sanitizer: Hand sanitizer is a life saver when you’re out and about where sinks aren’t readily available.
Sunblock: Sunscreen is a definite essential when you’re going on an outing with the family. Even if the sun doesn’t seem too strong, sunblock is important for preventing exposure to damaging rays.

In Case of Emergency

First aid manual or website: Make sure you have a first aid manual or website handy, so you know the proper procedures in the event of any type of emergency.
Emergency contacts: In addition to putting your emergency contacts in your phone, be sure to carry an index card with emergency numbers you may need during your outing. Include the phone number and address of the closest urgent care center, your pediatrician and several close friends or family members.

Hopefully, you will never need your first aid kit, but it’s always best to be prepared for anything. If you have all the tools you need to remedy any situation, it will make your family outing run more smoothly. Now that you have all the essentials at your fingertips, get out and have fun!

Safety Tips: Family First Aid Kits