First-aid kit – what to keep at home
A practical South African home first-aid kit list, what each item is for and why emergency contacts and training matter more than a full box.
A useful kit supports the first few minutes
A home first-aid kit should help with small wounds, burns, sprains and basic observation while you decide whether professional help is needed. It is not a substitute for training, emergency services or a stocked medicine plan. Keep it accessible to adults and out of children's reach.
Useful basics
- Disposable gloves and hand-cleaning supplies.
- Plasters, sterile dressings, gauze and a bandage.
- Clean saline or clean water for rinsing minor wounds.
- A thermometer, blunt-ended scissors, tweezers and a torch.
- A written emergency-contact card and any personal emergency information.
Check expiry dates and replace used or damaged items. Keep prescription medicines separate from the first-aid supplies so nobody mistakes an old product for general treatment.
Use the kit safely
- Wash hands or use gloves before touching a wound.
- Apply direct pressure to serious bleeding and call for help.
- Cool a burn with clean cool water and avoid household pastes or oils.
- Do not put objects into a deep wound, eye injury or severe bite.
- Record what was used so the kit is ready again.
First aid is not the finish line
Common questions
- What should be in a home first-aid kit?
- Keep gloves, dressings, plasters, gauze, clean saline or water, a thermometer, basic tools and emergency contacts. Tailor it to the household and keep it in date.
- Should I keep medicine in a first-aid kit?
- Keep medicines in their original packaging and follow the label. Ask a pharmacist which products are suitable for your household rather than creating a shared prescription box.
Sources
- Basic life support and resuscitation guidelinesResuscitation Council of Southern Africa
- Road to Health book: health-service contacts and child health guidanceNational Department of Health, South Africa
Last reviewed 26 August 2026.