Self care

Make sure you are well prepared at home for everyday illnesses and minor injuries by having a well-stocked first aid kit. A good basic kit should include:

• contact numbers for your GP surgery
• plasters in various shapes and sizes
• small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings
• at least two sterile eye dressings
• rolled crepe or tubular bandages for sprains
• triangular bandages
• safety pins
• disposable sterile gloves
• alcohol-free cleaning wipes or sterile water
• sticky tape
• a thermometer (preferably digital)
• scissors
• tweezers

You can also include over-the-counter medicines for common complaints, e.g.

• aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief
• rehydration sachets for diarrhoea
• antacid tablets or mixture for indigestion

Your pharmacist can advise you about home first aid kits.