Make a basic first aid kit to have on hand anywhere you go. It's quick, easy, and economical, to create a simple first aid kit.

Accidents happen, and basic first aid kit should be always be available. It's easy and economical to make a simple first aid kit for your home, your car, and even to toss in your suitcase. Don’t think you have the time to put one together? Never fear! You can make a quick kit in minutes with these three easy steps:

1. Grab a box.

Any shoebox-sized (or smaller) plastic box that closes securely will do, but fishing tackle boxes and sewing/ craft organizers work really well; they have lots of great compartments. A zippered toiletries or cosmetics bag is also a good choice.

2. Gather materials.

For a basic everyday first aid kit you’ll need:

Adhesive tape and bandages

Alcohol wipes or a mall bottle of isopropyl alcohol and a packet of cotton squares

Antibiotic ointment

Band-aids, assorted sizes

Bottle of distilled water (to clean wounds or rinse eyes)

Coin or a prepaid phone card for calls and lit of emergency phone numbers

Disposable latex or vinyl gloves

Face shield for performing mouth to mouth resuscitation

First aid book (download one for your PDA device here)

Flashlight (a small one can be purchased for under $1 at discount stores)

Gauze pads and rolled gauze bandages

Instant chemical ice pack

Oral thermometer

Paper drinking cups

Plastic bags (to dispose of waste or collect vomit in case of suspected oral poisoning)

Safety pins

Scissors

Soap (antibacterial liquid soap: travel size)

Splints

Tweezers

White index cards and small zipper bag (for tick removal: tape tick to index card and enclose in bag, then give the “tick-in-a-bag” to a medical professional)

3. Organize

Arrange your first aid supplies in the container of your choosing and voila! You are ready for (almost) anything.

It only takes a few minutes to make sure you and your family are ready for those inevitable emergencies. What are you waiting for? Grab your kit and go!