Your Guide to the Best Summer Safety Kit

Whether you're going on a weekend getaway or just enjoying time in your backyard, having the right items on hand can make a significant difference in managing unexpected situations.

Summer is for road trips, park days and backyard barbecues. A well stocked safety kit means a small scrape or a bee sting does not end the fun. Here is how to build one that actually gets used.

Start with the basics

Choose a sturdy bag or bin that is easy to grab. Keep one at home and a smaller one in the car. A good starting list includes:

• Bandages in several sizes, gauze pads and medical tape.
• Antiseptic wipes and a small tube of antibiotic ointment.
• Sunscreen with broad spectrum protection, SPF 30 or higher.
• Aloe or a cooling gel for minor sunburn.
• Insect repellent and an anti itch cream.
• Tweezers, small scissors and an instant cold pack.
• Oral rehydration packets and a refillable water bottle.
• A thermometer and a pain or fever reliever your family already uses.

Add your personal medicines

The most important items are the ones prescribed to you. If anyone in your family uses an inhaler, an epinephrine auto injector or another emergency medicine, keep it with you, not packed away in a hot trunk. Heat can damage many medicines. Ask us how to store yours when you travel.

Pack what your family actually needs, not just what came in a store bought box.

Sun and heat protection

Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside and reapply often, especially after swimming or sweating. Some medicines make skin more sensitive to the sun, including certain antibiotics and acne treatments. If you are not sure about yours, ask a pharmacist.

Hats, sunglasses and shade breaks round out your protection. Know the signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, nausea and dizziness. Move to a cool place, drink water and get help if symptoms do not improve.

Keep it ready

At the start of each season, open your kit and check expiration dates. Replace anything used up or expired. Add a card with emergency phone numbers, your doctor's contact, allergies, and a list of everyone's medicines.

Stop by CarePoint and we can help you stock up from our front end supplies, and answer questions about any product before you buy.

Teach older kids where the kit lives and what is inside. Knowing how to clean a scrape or use a cold pack builds confidence and helps them care for younger siblings or friends. Practice a simple plan for what to do in an emergency, including when to call 911. A few minutes of preparation at home can make a stressful moment much calmer when it happens.

Have questions about anything in this article? Call us at 661.480.2373 and talk with a CarePoint pharmacist. We are happy to help, and there is never a charge for a conversation.

This article is general education, not medical advice.