MFSP First Aid Kits for the Farm and Home

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barn with silo Maine Farm Safety Program

University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Bulletin #2339

First Aid Kits for the Farm and Home

by Dawna L. Cyr, farm safety project assistant, and Steven B. Johnson, Ph.D., Extension crops specialist

Most people want to assemble or buy a first aid kit to place in the family car, shop or tractor, or in other places where it might be needed. First aid kits can be assembled from items found in the home or purchased in drug stores. Proper first aid training is more important than the best first aid kit. A person can help and treat people with knowledge, hands and nearby materials. A first aid kit is useless if a person does not know how to use it.

- All vehicles and buildings should have a first aid kit.
- Restock supplies as they are used from the first aid kit.

First Aid Kits

All trucks and buildings should have a first aid kit. The primary driver of each truck is responsible for ensuring that the kit is present and checked monthly for completeness. Any driver using the truck should make sure the kit is in the truck before taking it on a call. All buildings should have a 36-unit first aid cabinet, and it should be checked monthly.

Immediately replace any used component of the first aid kit. Replacement modules should be kept in inventory in each building. If any unused portion has a chance of being contaminated, it should be discarded and replaced. Keep all materials clean and sanitary.

First Aid Kits for Tractors and Other Farm Machinery

The following is a list of items that should be in a first aid kit carried in tractors and other farm machinery.

Extra change taped to the carrying case to make an emergency phone call
A basic first aid manual
Two triangular bandages with 36" sides (made from bed sheets)
Spray antiseptic (not a pressurized can)
Sterile saline solution
Twelve adhesive bandages and four safety pins
Two pairs of rubber or latex gloves
Eye goggles
Three small packages of sugar
Mouth protection device for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

Dressing Supplies:

Four compress bandages, 2"x2", 4"x4"
24"x72" compress
One roll of adhesive tape
Six pressure bandages
Gauze bandage
Stainless steel bandage scissors (strong enough to cut through denim)
One elastic wrap
Cold pack
Amputation preservation kit (plastic bags: one large garbage bag, four kitchen-sized and two bread bags)

First Aid Kit for Home

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one of each car. A first aid kit should include the following items.

Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
Two-inch sterile gauze pads (four to six)
Four-inch sterile gauze pads (four to six)
Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
Triangular bandages (three)
Two-inch sterile roller bandages (three roles)
Three-inch sterile roller bandages (three roles)
Splints: Ľ inch thick x 3 inches wide x 12 to 15 inches long
Scissors, tweezers, needle
Moistened towelettes
Antiseptic
Sterile saline solution
Thermometer
Tongue blades (two)
Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Assorted sizes of safety pins
Cleansing agent/soap
Latex gloves (two pair)
Eye goggles
Sunscreen

Non-prescription drugs such as:

Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever (Remember: no aspirin for children!)
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Laxative
Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Maine Farm Safety Fact Sheet Series - Index of Titles

This Maine Farm Safety fact sheet is part of an educational fact sheet series produced by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. For more information on farm safety, contact your county Extension office.

Published and distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Land Grant University of the state of Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Cooperative Extension and other agencies of the U.S.D.A. provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.

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