First Aid for Family & Farm

Creating a solid first aid kit is important for both your family and your farm.  Animals will get injuries that need to be addressed and you need to have the right equipment for each species special needs.

But there are some basics for your family and your animals that should be kept. Then think about adding in specifics like personal medications that anyone in your house takes regularly or animal specific care.

Make sure if you include medications, including antibiotic creams, that you check the expiration dates regularly.  Replace them as needed so you don’t have to run out in the middle of a crisis!

 

 

PEOPLE

 

 

 

1. First, choose a location to keep your kit and make sure EVERYONE in the family knows where it is.  You don’t want someone to panic trying to search for it when there is an injury to deal with.
2. Get a container to house your supplies.  Doesn’t have to be fancy – a rubbermate tote will do.
3. Next you’ll want to equip your kit with a good basic First Aid Manual.  Don’t assume everyone that will need your kit will know how to use it.
4. Gather your supplies (based on Red Cross Recommendations for a family of 4):
   Absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
   Band-aids in assorted size
   Adhesive cloth tape
   Antibiotic ointment – consider getting individual packets for freshness and strength
   Antiseptic wipe packets – individually wrapped
   Aspirin – adult and children’s strength
   Ibuprofen – adult and children’s strength
   A blanket
   1 breathing barrier
   An instant cold compress
   Non-latex gloves (may be a good idea to have more than one size)
   Hydrocortisone ointment (again consider individual packets)
   Scissors
   Roller bandage (3 inches wide)
   Roller bandage (4 inches wide)
   Sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
   Sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
   Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
   Triangular bandages
   Tweezers
5. Add a flashlight and check the batteries regularly, keep an extra set with the kit.
6. Add magnifying glass.  This is so helpful with splinters, glass and other small injuries that may not be easily seen.

 

Basic Animal Kit:

This is a basic kit but it is a good idea for you to talk to your vet about the items he/she would recommend you keep for your animals.

 

 

1. First, choose a location to keep your kit and make sure EVERYONE in the family knows where it is.  With the animals you want to make sure it is close to their “quarters” but don’t let the elements get to it (sun in Phoenix kills supplies for instance)
2. Get a container.
3. First Aid for pets manual is a good reference but make sure to do a search for your particular animals.    Print out some guides for your animals and keep them in the kit (see links below).
4. Gather your supplies
   Adhesive tape
   Absorbent gauze pads
   Vetwrap – self sticking
   Antiseptic wipes or spray (I recommend Vetericyn)
   Blanket or towels
   Cotton balls or swabs
   Gauze rolls
   Instant Ice pack
   Non-latex disposable gloves (in a couple of sizes, depending on who will administer care)
   Petroleum jelly (to lubricate thermometer)
   Rectal thermometer
   Scissors (with blunt ends)
   Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
   Sterile saline solution
   Tweezers
   A pillowcase to confine animal, if neccessary, for treatment
   An appropriate-sized pet carrier to quarantine
5. Flashlight
6. Magnifying Glass

The Chicken Chick’s Chicken First Aid

Viens Family – Goat First Aid

Rabbit First Aid