How to Build a Garage First-Aid Kit

It’s important to have a garage first-aid kit fully stocked and ready for the unexpected. No matter how careful you are, working with tools often means the occasional scraped knuckle, or worse.

Here are the essentials you need to have in a garage first-aid kit, so you’re ready for any kind of accident.

Adhesive Bandages — Lots of Them

Most scrapes and scratches are minor, but they still need attention, especially when an engine’s dirt and grime can get into a wound and cause an infection. This requires a ready supply of adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes. Small, medium and large adhesive bandages should be included in every garage first-aid kit. Butterfly bandages are also good to have on hand for larger cuts.

Wipes and Ointments

A pair of tweezers is helpful for removing annoying splinters or anything that’s stuck in a wound, even if it’s just a small scrape. And since a garage isn’t the cleanest environment, make sure you have alcohol wipes for clearing away dirt before putting on a bandage.

A tube of antibiotic ointment is also a good idea to prevent infection and speed healing. You need a few pairs of disposable plastic gloves, too, for protecting the hands of anyone caring for your wound.

Cold Packs

Along with scrapes, working in a garage also means a fair number of bumps and bruises. Whether you’ve managed to smash a finger with a tool, drop something on your foot or lose your grip and bash your knuckles, a cold pack is essential. You might not want to stop working, but take a minute to apply a cold pack to prevent swelling and reduce bruising.

Eye Care

You should wear safety glasses anytime you work in a garage, but you also need to be prepared just in case something makes its way past them. An eyewash station is an easy addition to your garage first-aid kit. It’s not something you’ll often use, but you’ll be glad you have one if you get something in your eyes.

It usually includes saline solution and wide-mouth bottles, so you can easily flush debris or harmful liquids out of your eyes as quickly as possible. It doesn’t take up much space and can be kept with your first-aid kit or mounted on the wall.

Remember to Refill

Once you stock a first-aid kit, don’t forget to periodically check your supplies. This includes not just refilling supplies, but also seeing if anything has expired.

Check out all the safety parts and accessories available on NAPA online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on garage first-aid kits, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.

Photo courtesy Flickr.