Living tiny has its limits. There really is no room for 60″ LCD screens, walk-in closets, side-by-side fridge/freezer units, kegerators, and more. That doesn’t, however, mean it is impossible to have a proper first Aid Kit on hand. In fact, not having one may be one of the most irresponsible things aside from not having a small fire extinguisher or a gas detector. From small pre-packed first aid bags to full-blown field medic kits there is a way for you to take care of all the scrapes, boo-boos, and medical emergencies in your tiny house on wheels, of which there will be no shortage of.

The following tips may help you assemble a proper first aid kit for your home and beyond.

DECIDE WHAT YOUR NEEDS ARE

Do you live alone? If so, do you work outside? Do you hike? Do you suffer from hangnails, upset stomachs, or other ailments? What about a spouse or a child? Do you have a family? And where do you live? Is it urban or more rural? Is there a medical clinic or hospital nearby? Is your parking site accessible to first responders? Do you even know basic first aid? Asking these questions and answering them honestly will help you figure out more quickly what you really need in a first aid kit.

CHOOSE A BOX TO FIT YOUR NEEDS.

There are a number of options in regards to a first aid kit.  They are available to hang on the wall or even roll up. Another option is to purchase a tackle box or field box such as the Plano 728 tackle box  and fill it with first aid kit as you acquire it. With a heavy duty clasping lid, several snap-lok compartments, and interior storage boxes, the Plano is a great way to achieve your first aid preparation goals. At just under $40 for the box it is affordable to fill, easy to store, and heavy duty for longevity.

STOCK YOUR KIT

The best way to assemble a first aid kit is to do a bit of research first. While some people enjoy just going to a pharmacy or medical supply store and grabbing stuff, being prepared and strategic is definitely a better way to go. There are a ton of basic first aid kit supply lists available online now to help with this task. We recommend the Red Cross list or the REI checklist. Both are thorough and plan for a multitude of scenarios. They are not exhaustive lists and your personal medical needs may be more in depth. Feel free to augment or subtract from the list(s).

Basice Kit Contents may include:

• First aid book
• Bandaids (assorted sizes and including waterproof), medical tape, skin glue, 4×4 pads, splints, cotton swabs, Q-tips, gauze, ace wrap, dental floss, fabric triangle sling
• NNon-Latex Gloves, Hand Sanitizer, N 95 Respirator, paper face mask
• Neosporin, Wound Spray, Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Betadine Swabs, Alcohol Swabs, Scissors, Knife, Tweezers, Steri Strips, Paracord
• Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen (adults & children), Aspirin
• Cough syrup, Cough Drops, Menthol Inhaler Stick, Sinus Medications, VapoRub
• Bee sting kit, Benadryl (adult & childrens), Anti-itch cream, Insect repellent wipes
• Anti-diarheal, Anti-Gas, Stool Softener, Laxatives, Vaseline
• Glucose Tablets (For low blood sugar)
• Contact Solution, Red Eye Drops
• 1 month supply of prescribed medications
• Feminine Hygiene Products (pads and tampons)
• (optional) Digital BP cuff, Stethoscope, Thermometer

CREATE A LIST OF MEDS AND EXPIRATION DATES

This is pretty self-explanatory but more than important. You need to be aware of what you take each day so you can be sure to have an emergency supply. It is easiest to keep a spreadsheet in either Excel of Google Sheets. The list should live in the top of your first aid kit or in your Emergency Response Notebook (should you have one for such situations).

LABEL YOUR KIT COMPARTMENTS

You can certainly label however you see fit. It is important though because in an emergency situation you don’t want to waste precious moments searching for something you thought you saw “there” “last time.”

We understand that assembling a first aid kit can be somewhat cost prohibitive. You don’t have to have a Navy Seal quality first aid kit though. Just the basics will go a long way. Visit your local Dollar Tree or Family Dollar to find out what they have available. Buy generic when possible. Check your ingredients and make a smart decision. It even makes sense to carry a first aid grocery list with you every day so if you see something you know you need, you can check your list to make sure you didn’t spot it last trip.

Do you currently have a first aid kit in your tiny house? Has this article encouraged you to create one? What do you consider to be absolutely necessary to have in your kit? Do you even think a first aid kit is necessary at all? Let us know in the comments below.