How to Build a Basic First Aid Kit for Nigerian Homes

Why Every Home in Nigeria Needs a First Aid Kit

My daughter fell and cut her knee one evening during a blackout. There was no chemist open. That was the night I promised myself I’d never live without a first aid kit again.

Mrs. Helen U., mother of three, Lugbe

Accidents do not wait for perfect timing. They happen during blackouts. On Sundays when the pharmacies are closed. In traffic. At home while making dinner or doing laundry.

A basic first aid kit may not fix every emergency, but it buys you time, control, and peace, three things that matter more than we realize until something happens.

In Nigeria where medical emergencies are often complicated by distance, cost, or lack of quick access to help, every home deserves the power to act, even if it’s just for a few minutes before real help comes.

What Should Go Inside

You don’t need to break the bank. A functional first aid kit can be built gradually. What matters is being intentional about it.

Here is a basic list, especially tailored for Nigerian homes:

Cleaning and Disinfection

• Methylated spirit or antiseptic liquid like Dettol or Savlon

• Hydrogen peroxide (for deep cuts and wounds)

• Clean cotton wool and gauze

• Sterile alcohol wipes or pads

Wound Dressing

• Adhesive bandages (plasters) in different sizes

• Gauze pads and adhesive tape

• Elastic bandage (for sprains)

• Scissors and tweezers (preferably stainless steel)

Common Medications

• Paracetamol or Ibuprofen (for pain and fever)

• Antihistamine (for allergic reactions or insect bites)

• Oral rehydration salts (for dehydration or diarrhea)

• Antacid tablets or suspension

• Antiseptic cream or balm

Extras You Will Be Grateful For

• Digital thermometer

• Disposable gloves

• A small flashlight or torch

• Extra batteries

• A face mask or two

• Your doctor’s or hospital emergency contact

• A small notebook to write what happened, what was given, and when

For Families With Children

If you have kids, you already know that bumps, fevers, and falls are part of the journey. Add the following:

• Pediatric fever reducer like baby paracetamol

• Teething balm

• Burn ointment

• Children’s vitamins

• A thermometer that is safe and easy to use for little ones

Where To Store It

Choose a clean, dry place that is easy to reach for adults but safe from children. A plastic box with compartments works well. Label it clearly and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is.

Avoid keeping it in the bathroom or kitchen where moisture may damage some of the contents. A shelf in the living room or hallway works best.

Check It Often

It is easy to forget, but medicines expire. Plasters lose their stick. Thermometers sometimes stop working. Schedule a reminder every three to six months to go through your kit and replace what’s missing or expired.

This small act is a form of love. For yourself. For your family. For your home.

What If I Cannot Afford Everything At Once?

That is okay. You do not need to buy it all in one day. Start with what you can:

• A bottle of spirit

• Some cotton wool

• A strip of paracetamol

• One or two plasters

Even that small start could save someone from infection or ease someone’s pain.

Every time you go to the market or pharmacy, add one or two items. In a few weeks, you’ll have something solid.

Emergencies Are Not Always Loud

Sometimes the emergency is a headache at 1am.
A minor burn from frying oil.
A child’s finger caught in a door.
A panic attack.
A dizzy spell.
A scraped knee.

First aid is not just for crisis. It is for calm. It is for comfort. It is for the moments when you want to help but don’t know how, this is how.

Where to Get Free Medical Help in Abuja

If you are in Abuja and ever find yourself without money but in need of real care, we have created a separate resource for you:
👉 Where to Get Free Medical Help in Abuja (2025 Guide) — coming next.

That article will list health centres, clinics, volunteer medical groups, and trusted initiatives that currently provide basic health services to people in need.

Final Thought

A first aid kit is not just a box. It is a small act of preparation that says, “I care.”
It is a gift to your future self.
It is peace in a plastic box.
Start yours today.