Kit Contents

First Aid Kit

Keep a first aid kit readily available in your home, cottage, car, boat, workplace, and recreation area. Store it in a dry place and replace used or outdated contents regularly.

A first aid kit should contain the following:

  • Emergency telephone numbers for EMS/9-1-1, your local poison control centre, and your personal doctors
  • Home and office phone numbers for family members, friends, or neighbours who can help
  • Sterile gauze pads (dressings) in small and large squares to place over wounds
  • Adhesive tape
  • Roller and triangular bandages to hold dressings in place or to make an arm sling
  • Adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
  • Scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Safety pins
  • Instant ice packs
  • Disposable non-latex gloves, such as surgical or examination gloves
  • Flashlight, with extra batteries in a separate bag
  • Antiseptic wipes or soap
  • Pencil and pad
  • Emergency blanket
  • Eye patches
  • Thermometer
  • Barrier devices, such as a pocket mask or face shield
  • Coins for pay phone
  • Canadian Red Cross first aid manual

Emergency Supplies Kit

Have supplies ready for an emergency. Store them in a backpack or a duffle bag so you can take them with you if you have to evacuate the area.

  • Four litres of water per person per day (use sealed, unbreakable containers and replace the supply every six months)
  • Packaged or canned food that won’t go bad, and a can opener (replace the food once a year)
  • Walking shoes, rain gear, and a change of clothing
  • Blankets or sleeping bags
  • A first aid kit and prescription medications (check the medications every six months to make sure they haven’t passed their expiry date)
  • Toilet paper and other personal supplies
  • An extra pair of glasses
  • A battery-powered radio and flashlight, along with extra batteries
  • Spare cash
  • An extra set of car keys
  • A list of your family doctors
  • Important family information such as a list of any medical conditions or medical devices, such as pacemakers
  • Photocopies of all important identification for you and your family, including health card numbers
  • Special items for babies, elderly, or disabled household members
  • Cell phone and contact information for family and friends

Emergency Car Kit

Keep an emergency kit in your car.

  • A battery-powered radio and flashlight, with extra batteries
  • A blanket
  • Booster (jumper) cables
  • A fire extinguisher
  • A Canadian Red Cross first aid kit and manual
  • Bottled water and high-energy foods that won’t go bad (replace the water every six months and the food once a year)
  • Maps of the area
  • A shovel
  • Flares
  • A tire repair kit and pump
  • Matches and a “survival” candle in a deep can that will burn for many hours

For more information on first aid kits for the home, car, office and more, please visit Canadian Red Cross eShop.