First aid kit: a complete guide for home, school and car

For those of us involved in first aid education, the kit is not just a box. It is a "living" thing that must always be ready. Good organisation can turn a moment of crisis into a controlled process of care.

Mild antisepsis starts with plenty of running water and mild soap. It is the safest way to clean a wound without further irritating the tissues.

The home first aid kit

At home, the equipment should be complete, so that it covers all members of the family.

Cleaning and antiseptic supplies

• Saline (ampoules) for rinsing wounds and eyes. You can also choose small 100ml bottles, with the corresponding IV set or a special cannula (mini-spike type).
• Hydrogen peroxide, for mild antisepsis and cleaning of contaminated wounds.
• A mild antiseptic solution without iodine.

Dressing supplies

• Sterile gauze (various sizes).
• Adhesive plasters of various sizes.
• Elastic bandages (5cm and 10cm wide).
• Adhesive tape, fabric or paper.

Specialised care

• Hydrogel for thermal burns.
• A stick for insect bites.
• Antihistamine cream.

Tools and personal protective equipment

• Atraumatic first aid scissors.
• Sterile single-use tweezers.
• A torch (with spare batteries).
• A thermometer.
• Nitrile gloves (latex-free).
• Single-use protective masks.

Medication

• Mild painkillers and antipyretics (following the instructions of the family doctor).
• Medication for chronic conditions of household members, only on a doctor's instructions and strictly following the storage instructions (temperature, humidity).

The school first aid kit

At school we place emphasis on protecting children and on the immediate treatment of accidents in the playground.

Essential consumables

• Sterile gauze (in large quantities).
• Paraffin-impregnated gauze, for abrasions that should not stick.
• Hypoallergenic adhesive dressings (plasters).
• Elastic bandages and a triangular bandage (for immobilising limbs).

Cleaning and relief

• Saline.
• Hydrogen peroxide (with a preference for mild antisepsis with soap and water).
• Instant cold packs.
• A stick for insect bites.
• Hydrogel for thermal burns.

Tools and safety

• A whistle, to signal danger or to gather children.
• A reflective vest, for escorting children outside the school or in case of evacuation.
• Atraumatic scissors and sterile single-use tweezers.
• A torch.
• Nitrile gloves and single-use masks.

Approved preparations

• Mild painkillers and antihistamines, in consultation with parents/guardians and the school doctor or nurse.

The car first aid kit

Here there is an important distinction: what the law requires and what we recommend in addition for greater safety.

What the law says

Under Ministerial Decision Δ30/45652/2026 (Government Gazette B' 1804/01.04.2026), carrying a first aid kit became mandatory for all road motor vehicles in Greece, with the exception of two-wheelers.

• The kit must comply with the European standard DIN 13164:2022.
• All materials must be within their expiry date and in good condition.
• It is checked at the vehicle inspection centre (KTEO) and during a traffic police check. For an incomplete or missing kit a fine of €30 applies (Article 85, par. 25 of the new Highway Code, Law 5209/2025).

The certified DIN 13164:2022 box is the legal minimum. It is a good idea to always check the current Gazette, as the dates of application have changed several times.

What we recommend in addition

Beyond the mandatory box, a fuller car first aid kit should ideally include:

Extrication and signalling tools

• A certified extrication tool (able to cut a seatbelt and break glass).
• A reflective vest (mandatory for your safety outside the vehicle).
• A whistle, to attract help in hard-to-reach spots.
• A torch, ideally a headlamp.

Specialised supplies

• An emergency (foil) blanket.
• A pressure haemostatic bandage.
• A CPR face mask with a valve.

General supplies

• Sterile gauze, adhesive dressings and elastic bandages.
• Hydrogel for thermal burns.
• Saline and hydrogen peroxide.
• A stick for insect bites.
• Atraumatic scissors and sterile single-use tweezers.
• Nitrile gloves and single-use masks.

Basic medication

• Mild painkillers (paracetamol) and antihistamines, for emergency allergic reactions during a journey.

Numbers that save lives

The correct use of supplies is completed by the timely alerting of the authorities.

• 112, the European Emergency Number: your first choice. It works without a carrier signal, provides geolocation and coordinates all services (ambulance, police, fire service).
• Poison Centre (Greece), 210 7793777: for guidance in cases of exposure to toxic substances.

Training is the most important "supply"

The above supplies are your tools. But, like any tool, they need knowledge to be used correctly. In our seminars you learn how to provide first aid with composure and effectiveness, at the moment that matters.