Is Your First Aid Kit Expired?

What’s included in a first aid kit?

What’s included in a first aid kit varies depending on its purpose, intended number of users and location. For example, a family first aid kit may have different contents and quantity of supplies compared to a first aid cabinet for the workplace or a personal first aid kit.

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Despite the specialization of a first aid kit, you can expect to see common items in most cases.

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Adhesive bandages (multiple quantities & sizes for minor bleeding)
Alcohol wipes or other hand sanitizers
Roller Bandages and Gauze Pads (for more severe bleeding)
First aid booklet
Fluids for cleaning (antiseptic, saline, distilled water)
Gels, creams, and sprays (sting bite treatment, rash, and burn creams)
Instant cold packs
Aspirin tablets, chewable (for heart attack)
Personal protective equipment (masks, non-latex gloves)
Scissors and tweezers

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View all our first aid kits and first aid supplies at the Red Cross Store.

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For Emergency Preparedness products and additional First Aid items you may be looking for, please visit US First Aid and Preparedness, an official provider of American Red Cross approved products.

How long do first aid kits last?

The good news is that most items in a first aid kit have a long shelf life if they remain free of tears, cuts, or other damage to the packaging. The following first aid kit supplies may have up to five years of shelf life.

Adhesive tape
Compresses
Eye pads
Forceps
Gauze bandages
Instant cold packs
Latex gloves
Plastic or cloth strip bandages
Scissors
Sterile gauze and pads
Tweezers

Bandages and adhesive tape may not go bad per se after five years, but they will lose their adhesiveness as they age. The same applies to compresses and gauze, which can last indefinitely but may get moldy or damaged.

The average shelf life for other supplies in a first aid kit vary.

Alcohol wipes: two years
Antibiotic ointment: two years
Burn ointment: one to two years
Eyewash: three years
First aid cream or ointment: two years
Hand sanitizer: four to five years

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When in doubt, always defer to the expiration date printed on each component for when to replace any items in a first aid kit. An expiration date may also be printed at the bottom of the first aid kit to indicate when the first item will expire – keep in mind that this does not indicate the expiration date for every item in the kit, but the first item to expire.

How often should first aid kits be replaced?

It is crucial to review your first aid kit annually. If any items are expired, they should be replaced immediately. If an expiration date is not included, assess the item to ensure it is in good working order. For instance, if the packaging on the gauze is wet or discolored, it should be replaced even though it’s not technically expired.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to inspect your first aid kit.

Inspect the first aid kit container. Does it open and close correctly? Are there any cracks, breaks, or rust?
Remove the first aid contents and examine each item. Are there any damages to the packaging, like tears, stains, leaks, or openings? Are any items expired?
Clean the inside of the kit to remove any dust or debris. Dust and debris can cause friction, which may accelerate breakdown over time.
Replace supplies that are expired or damaged.
Document your review and keep the log nearby to note when you inspected the items.

A first aid kit provides you with a sense of security in your preparedness and provides care when needed most, especially when it is portable. Whether you need a larger first aid kit for home or work or a smaller personal kit, the American Red Cross offers a variety of first aid kits for cars, travel first aid kits, workplace first aid kits, OSHA first aid kits, and college first aid kits to help you give care in a variety of settings.

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