September 12, 2022
The medicine cabinet is one of the most important spaces in your home. It’s a hub for the things that keep you and your family healthy each day. Keeping it well stocked can not only save you from unnecessary trips to the pharmacy or urgent care center for minor illness and injuries — it also can supply life-saving resources for serious health emergencies until professional medical support is available.
If it’s been a while since you’ve taken inventory of what’s inside your home medicine cabinet, take some time to stock up on the essentials. Here’s a guide to what you should always have on hand.
The medicine cabinet is your go-to destination when it comes to cuts, bites, splinters, burns, fevers, and other minor illnesses and injuries. Be ready for any of these situations by having basic first-aid supplies such as:
• A thermometer
• Bandages in various sizes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic solutions and wipes
• Medical tape
• Gauze
• Safety pins
• Latex gloves
• Tweezers and small scissors
• Hand sanitizer
• Sterile eye wash
Beyond the first-aid supplies, certain over-the-counter medicines are an important part of any medicine cabinet. This includes:
• Pain relievers and fever reducers
• Anti-diarrhea medicine
• Antihistamines
• Laxatives
• Antacids
If anyone in your house takes a prescription regularly, it’s a good practice to keep that prescription in the medicine cabinet. This is especially true for drugs related to allergies, diabetes, or any other conditions that may require urgent attention.
It’s important to check the expiration dates on all your medications. A good time to do it is when the clocks change (when Daylight Savings Time starts and ends) each year. Expired medications are unsafe to take, and by frequently checking for them, you can order a refill for any necessary prescriptions before you have a need to take them. Your medicine cabinet should also lock, or at least be out of reach from any children in your home, to avoid misuse of any of the contents inside.
Make sure your medicine cabinet is stocked with everything you need (before you need it). It can save you from an unnecessary headache later — quite literally!
