Simple Tasks - Bathroom Week - First Aid Supplies

Yesterday we looked at decluttering towels. I chose towels first because they are often the largest source of bulk in a bathroom, and decluttering them first can make the biggest impact. But what is the most important thing to examine in a bathroom?

First aid supplies.

In the event of an emergency, you need to be prepared. You don't want to be searching through bandages that don't stick, salves that have expired, and wraps that are missing their clasps. You also don't want to come up short with supplies!

Gather all of your first aid items together, even if they are in separate areas of the house. Unless you have everything together at once, you won't know exactly what you have and what you are missing.

First, eliminate items are that expired. First aid creams and skin glue lose their potency over time, and they can also become contaminated and result in irritation and infections! If you are tossing necessary items, jot them down on this week's shopping list so you can purchase them when you go to the store.

Next, eliminate anything that just don't work. Have you had the same Barbie bandages since your now-teenage daughter was 3? They probably aren't so sticky anymore, and if even they are, germs can still have permeated the wrapping. Do you have ACE bandages that have lost their stretch or are missing their clasps? What about wrist and knee braces that have lost their form? These types of things have to be in good condition to help provide support.

Finally, note any items you were missing for your first aid supplies in the beginning. Do you have sting-relief remedies? What about aspirin for heart attack victims? If you are unsure about what you may need in your supplies, refer to these handy lists from REI and the American Red Cross. You don't have to have everything on their lists, so decide what is relevant to your climate, family, and living situation. 

When you are finished sorting your supplies and making your shopping list, decide if the bathroom is the best place for your first aid supplies and if your supplies should be kept all together or dispersed to different areas of your home.  The problem with keeping first aid supplies in the bathroom is that they are repeatedly subjected to high humidity. This can affect the potency of medications and ruin adhesives. If you do decide to move your first aid supplies, inform all of your family members so they know where to find supplies in the event of an emergency.