It's not something we like to think about, but accidents requiring emergency care do happen, and quite often. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, a fatal injury occurs every 18 minutes in homes across America, and a disabling injury every four seconds. The leading causes of death and injury in the home are solid and liquid poisonings, falls, fires, burns, and choking on ingested objects.

It's important to be prepared for these accidents in your home by keeping a first-aid kit well stocked and readily available. Though first-aid kits are most often used for minor situations, such as bug bites, sunburns, and small cuts and scrapes, they can help you save somebody's life in more serious situations.

The most important thing to have in the first-aid kit is not a cream, salve or bandage--it's information. Keep handy all the numbers you need to call in case of an emergency. This means not just 911, but also numbers for family doctors, poison control, nearby relatives, and neighbors. It's also a good idea to keep lists of medications and allergies for everyone in the house.

Many stores and the Red Cross sell pre-assembled first aid kits that work perfectly well. However, you can save money by putting one together yourself. Items to keep in the first-aid kit include:

• Over-the-counter medications like aspirin, cough suppressant, and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine). Be sure to check the dates on these drugs periodically to make sure they haven't expired.
• Bandages of various sizes.
• Antibacterial cream or ointment--not only good for cuts and scrapes; this can be dabbed on insect bites and stings to ease discomfort.
• Gauze.
• Adhesive tape.
• Disposable latex or non-latex gloves.
• Rounded-tip scissors to cut through tape, bandages and clothing.
• Breathing barrier--a plastic shield that allows someone to perform CPR in a sanitary fashion, this can be obtained from your local Red Cross office.
• Thermometer--either digital or mercury.
• Calamine lotion--for calming the itch of poison oak, ivy, or sumac.
• Instant-activating cold packs can be applied to bites and scrapes to alleviate pain.
• Oral medicine syringe, activated charcoal, and ipecac syrup can be used if someone ingests a poisonous substance. These should only be used after calling a poison control center for advice.
• First-aid manual--for instruction on how to use all the supplies in your kit.

Be sure to make a note every time you use an item from the kit, so you will remember to replace it. You should check your first-aid kit at least once a year--maybe the same day you check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors--to make sure it is well stocked and no medications have expired.

Store your first-aid supplies in a clean, dry, easily accessible place in a tote bag or plastic container. Keep a kit on each floor of your home and also in the garage or workshop. It's also a good idea to keep one in the trunk of your car for emergencies on the road. Just make sure everyone in your household remembers where you put them!