What Are the Essential Items in a First Aid Box?

Denver Naguit
Nov 4
4 min read

Whether you're preparing a first aid kit for your home, workplace, or car, knowing what the essentials items in a first aid box are could make all the difference in an emergency, this guide covers everything you need to assemble a proper first aid box that meets UK standards.

As an NHS trainer with who brings over 16 years of healthcare experience and over a decade in professional training and development, specifically in first aid training having said that, I know a few things about what essential items should be in a first aid kit for both convenience and legal requirements to make you prepared for any scenario.

What Essential Items Should Be in a First Aid Box?
Items in a First Aid Box for Different Settings
UK Regulations and Standards
Specialised Items for Specific Needs
The Importance of First Aid Training
Gaining the Confidence Need to Use Your First Aid Box

Summary (TL;DR)

A properly stocked first aid box should contain plasters, gauze, bandages, gloves, antiseptic wipes, scissors, tweezers, painkillers, and a first aid manual
UK workplaces must comply with HSE regulations
Check supplies every three months to ensure items remain sterile and in-date
Contents vary based on location and risk assessment.

What Essential Items Should Be in a First Aid Box?

To answer the question of what items should be in a first aid box, the contents depend on intended use - but fundamental items remain consistent.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides clear guidance for workplace boxes, whilst home and travel kits can be adapted based on circumstances, a basic first aid box serves as your first line of response, from minor cuts to serious incidents. The British Red Cross notes that properly stocked kits can prevent minor injuries from becoming serious medical situations which is essential when considering the statistics of workplace injuries the past years, the causes and how they can be prevents/what would be needed to treat or prevent them.

Every first aid box should contain these fundamental supplies to handle the most common injuries and emergencies:

Wound Care Supplies

Assorted plasters - Various sizes including fabric, waterproof, and large formats
Sterile gauze pads - Multiple sizes for covering wounds and absorbing blood
Sterile adhesive dressings - For medium-sized wounds
Conforming bandages - Secure dressings and support sprains
Triangular bandages - Create slings, secure splints, and provide head coverage
Sterile eye pads - Specifically designed to avoid sticking to delicate eye tissue
Microporous tape - Secures dressings without skin irritation

Cleansing and Protection

Antiseptic wipes - Alcohol-free versions preferred for cleaning wounds
Sterile saline solution - Safely flushes debris from wounds and eyes
Disposable gloves - Multiple pairs in various sizes, latex-free options for allergies

Tools and Equipment

Sharp scissors - One rounded edge for safe cutting
Tweezers - Remove splinters and debris with precision
Safety pins - Secure bandages and slings
Digital thermometer - Assess fever and monitor patient condition

Medications

Paracetamol and ibuprofen - Adult and children's formulations for pain relief
Antihistamine tablets/liquid - Treat allergic reactions, bites, and stings
Rehydration sachets - Replace lost fluids and electrolytes

Documentation and Guidance

First aid manual - Step-by-step instructions from St John Ambulance or British Red Cross
Emergency contact card - NHS 111, GP surgery, and designated first aiders
Contents checklist - Track supplies and identify items needing replacement

Items in a First Aid Box for Different Settings

Home First Aid Boxes

Home kits should include family-specific prescription medications, burn gel for kitchen accidents, and children's medications, cold packs and tick removal tools are increasingly important due to rising UK Lyme disease cases.

Workplace First Aid Boxes

The HSE requires specific items based on workplace risk assessment, low-risk offices need fewer supplies than construction sites, with quantities sufficient to serve employee numbers. Large workplaces maintain multiple strategically positioned stations.

Travel and Car First Aid Boxes

Travel kits should prioritise lightweight, multi-use items, car kits should include foil blankets for emergencies, high-visibility vests, warning triangles, motion sickness tablets, and sun cream.

Key maintenance tips:

Inspect your kit every three months
Check expiry dates on all items
Restock used items immediately
Keep in a clearly marked green box with white cross
Ensure everyone knows the location
Add a torch for areas without lighting

Expert Tip: First Aid Box Storage and Maintenance

Where and how you store your first aid box matters as much as what's inside, store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat, easily accessible to adults but secure from children.

UK Regulations and Standards

HSE Requirements

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate first aid equipment based on workplace risk assessment, employee numbers, and work activities. Low-risk workplaces need minimum provisions of 20 plasters, sterile dressings, bandages, gloves, and guidance leaflets, whilst higher-risk environments require more comprehensive supplies.

British Standards

BS 8599-1:2019 specifies workplace first aid kit requirements, whilst BS 8599-2:2014 covers home and leisure kits, certified kits ensure contents meet recognised standards and can be supplemented based on specific needs.

Specialised Items for Specific Needs

Individuals with severe allergies should carry prescribed auto-injector pens (EpiPens), whilst workplaces may hold these with strict protocols, those with diabetes require glucagon emergency kits and fast-acting glucose tablets, outdoor activities necessitate blister plasters, insect repellent, tick removal tools, and survival bags in waterproof packaging.

The Importance of First Aid Training

Having the right items is only effective with proper training, courses from the British Red Cross, St John Ambulance, and independent providers such as Nags Training Solutions teach practical skills for treating injuries and recognising when professional help is needed with the HSE recommending refresher training every three years.

Gaining the Confidence Need to Use Your First Aid Box

Understanding which items belong in a first aid box ensures you're prepared for medical emergencies, a well-stocked kit provides essential capability to respond effectively whilst awaiting professional assistance.

Invest in appropriate supplies, maintain your kit quarterly, and develop first aid skills through training for effective emergency response.

Are you ready to gain the skills and confidence to use your first aid box effectively?

Our expert-led first aid courses provide hands-on and engaging training that prepares you for real-world emergencies and is tailored to your needs for workplace compliance or personal development.