Spring cleaning the cupboards? There's one thing that's easy to overlook: your first aid kit.
A first aid kit isn't something you should buy, put away and forget about. Items get used, packaging can become damaged and some supplies have expiry dates.
Whether it's at home, in the car or at work, checking your first aid kit regularly helps make sure it's ready when you need it.
There isn't one schedule that suits every first aid kit.
A workplace kit may need checking more frequently than a home kit, particularly if it is used regularly or the workplace has higher first aid risks.
As a practical rule, check your kit regularly, after it has been used and whenever your circumstances change. Spring cleaning is a useful annual reminder to give home and vehicle kits a thorough check.
You don't need to replace everything. Start by taking everything out and checking:
✅ whether anything has been used and not replaced
✅ expiry dates where applicable
✅ whether packaging or sterile seals have been damaged
✅ whether supplies are clean and stored appropriately
✅ whether frequently used items are running low
✅ whether the kit is still appropriate for where and how it is used.
It's also a good opportunity to make sure everyone knows where the kit is kept.
Vehicle first aid kits are particularly easy to forget.
If you keep a kit in your car, caravan, work vehicle or ute, include it in your regular checks. Heat, storage conditions and everyday use can affect its contents, and items may disappear over time without anyone noticing.
Before spring and summer road trips begin, check that your vehicle kit is complete and easy to access.
Workplace first aid requirements depend on factors including the nature of the work, workplace hazards, workforce size and location.
Workplace kits should form part of your broader first aid arrangements rather than being treated as a once-off purchase.
If you're responsible for workplace safety, establish a process for checking and replenishing supplies so the kit remains ready for use.
You don't necessarily need to replace the whole kit when supplies run low or expire.
St John Tasmania can help with first aid supplies, replacement items and workplace first aid kit restocking, as well as helping businesses determine whether their current first aid arrangements meet their needs.
