Family-safety guide · First aid
First Aid Readiness for Families
The first three minutes before help arrives are the most protective minutes of all. This guide covers the kit, the skills, and the calm — so a skinned knee or a scary moment doesn’t become a panic.
Reviewed & updated · August 2026
Start here
A calm, do-it-together starting point.
Build a real kit
Bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, burn care, instant cold packs, scissors, tweezers, a thermometer — organized in labeled compartments, stocked where you can grab it fast.
Learn the basics you’ll actually use
Cuts and scrapes, burns, falls and head bumps, choking, and CPR for children. A two-hour class covers more than a shelf of apps.
Check it twice a year
Restock at daylight-saving time changes. A kit that’s empty when you need it is just a box.
Know when to call
Keep poison control (1-800-222-1222) and emergency numbers visible — and know the difference between a home-care moment and a call-911 moment.
Want a specialist to walk your home with you? The Guardian Nest assessment turns this guide into a personalized Family Protection Plan™.
Take the first-aid classRelated guidance
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