Every home and car should have a first aid kit in case of emergencies. I have a list of what should be included in your first aid kit.
Here is what you should have on hand:

A first aid manual or guide
sterile gauze
adhesive tape and bandages in different sizes
An elastic bandage
A pair of goggles or other eye protection
A manual aspirator or suction unit
Antiseptic wipes
Topical medications such as iodine, aloe vera gel, tea tree oil
Anti-itch ointment
Soap
An antibiotic cream like triple-antibiotic ointment
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrocortisone cream
<Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
A pair of tweezers
A sharp pair of scissors
Safety pins
Instant cold packs (disposable)
A bottle of calamine lotion
Alcohol wipes or ethyl …read more

There are several recalls and safety alerts for infant and children’s products issued in the past few days by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Some of these pose strangulation and choking hazards. So please look over these products carefully, especially if you have young children in your home.

* Infants Strangled to Death in Simplicity Bassinets: CPSC Urges Consumers To Stop Using Simplicity 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 Convertible “Close-Sleeper” Models.
Two infants have died of strangulation, after being trapped in the metal bars of bassinets made by Simplicity. The (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to immediately stop using convertible these …read more

This summary of recent product recalls issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission includes lighting fixtures, pacifiers and baby toys, and a vacuum attachment.

* Indoor Lighting Fixtures made by Lithonia Lighting of Conyers, Ga.
Hazard: A thermal protector could be missing from the lighting fixtures, posing a risk of overheating and fire.
Description: The recalled fixture is a ceiling-mounted downlight. Model number LV3R is included in this recall and is printed on a UL label inside the light’s housing. Sold at electrical distributors and electrical sales representatives nationwide from April 2007 through May 2008 for between $60 and …read more

MSNBC has recommendations on when to replace 14 common items. Here are the life spans of some of them:
Pillows – 1 year of nightly use. If you use pillow protectors, 2 years.
Mattresses – 5 to 7 years
Smoke Alarms – 10 years (batteries should be replaced yearly)
Vitamins – 2 years after purchase if there are no expiration dates
Fire extinguishers – 10 years
Contact lens solution – 3 months after opening
Toothbrushes – 3 – 4 months
Eye Make-up – 6 months after opening
Rubbing alcohol – forever
via Health care- msnbc.com

Lead paint continues to be a hazard not only in toys but even other articles for the home. Recent product recalls include children’s storage bins sold at Lowe’s. Also in this round-up of recalls is a baby bottle warmer and a gas grill.
* Children’s Storage Bins Sold at Lowe’s Stores Recalled Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
Name of Product: Children’s Storage Bins
Description: The recalled storage bins are wooden with scalloped edges and were sold in pastel green or pink. Item number 226782 (pastel green storage bin) or 226781 (pink storage bin) is located on the bottom …read more