First Aid Cabinet ⛑️ 🩹 🤒

[nelsonic]

A few weeks ago, the potentially hazardous chemicals (e.g: betadine & 97% alcohol) were removed from the drawer in the middle floor bathroom and put “upstairs” (somewhere I don’t know where …).

A few days ago our son scratched his knee when he fell on asphalt and I couldn’t find any liquid to disinfect the wound; it was very frustrating to have a crying child and no first aid liquid on hand. 😢

Todo

• [x] list all the items we need to have in a first aid cabinet.

• [x] agree on location/placement and size required for our First Aid cabinet.

• [x] research available cabinets we can buy. If there is something not ugly. We can buy it. If not, I’m happy to make something in the workshop as it will be custom to the space available and look muuuch better than something plastic. 💭

• [x] buy our build the cabinet!

• [x] mount it to the wall (in the agreed place)

• [x] Populate the cabinet with the required supplies

I quite like the look of this wooden cabinet: https://www.discountschoolsupply.com/school-supplies/health-safety/cleaning-sanitation/lockable-first-aid-cabinet/p/34325

but am definitely not paying $600 for one!! 🤯💸

[iteles]

Wowza. $600.

Would a child lock on the existing bathroom drawers not work? If I'm in pain or in a hurry, faffing with keys that cannot be left in the lock is not ideal, but grabbing a magnet from an out of the way place and opening a drawer is doable.

If we want a cabinet, we should check how much space we have but I think this is a good option, especially as it's clear what it's for: https://amzn.to/3QWuaoP

Will make a list of what we need asap.

[nelsonic]

The magnetic child locks are horrible for everyone except the person that installed them and knows the "secret". The First Aid Cabinet needs to be at adult eye height and dedicated to the single purpose of first aid. We can leave the key in the lock and the spare on a string above so that even if someone removes one they won't lose the other. The drawers under the sink can still be used for non-toxic chemicals like hand soap refills, sterile gloves and TP.

[nelsonic]

This Amazon cabinet you have shared is €50 on the ES store:

It's also tiny ... it's basically the size of an A4 sheet of paper and the depth of single bottle of something.

For reference, this one from Leroy (marketplace) is the same dimensions as the AMZN one you shared: https://www.leroymerlin.pt/produtos/armario-de-primeiros-socorros-gabinete-de-medicamentos-de-parede-de-metal-216-x-80-x-321-mm-83789300.html €33.61 with free delivery ...

You can see how tiny it is with reference to the standard size bottles inside ... 📏

Note: This is actually more than "enough" in a minimalist first aid cabinet.

I think I'd prefer to have something bigger ... because we already have quite a lot of items to store in it. 💭 If we store all the different kinds of plasters, gauses and liquids we already have we immediately exceed this size.

Perhaps we should take a step back and figure out everything that makes sense to store in a First Aid Cabinet ...

Meanwhile there are decent options at Leroy for cheaper than the AMZN ES price: https://www.leroymerlin.pt/search?q=primeiros+socorros

e.g: https://www.leroymerlin.pt/produtos/casas-de-banho/moveis-de-casa-de-banho/armarios-de-casa-de-banho/armarios-de-casa-de-banho-para-medicamentos/armario-farmacia-kleankin-30x14x46-cm-branco-87912371.html

Yes, this is more expensive but it's more than double the volume and means we can store all of the First Aid items we already have.

---

searched on Quirumed https://www.quirumed.com/pt/#/dfclassic/query=primeiros%20socorros which we have bought from in the past but their similar sized cabinet was €98: https://www.quirumed.com/pt/caixa-de-primeiros-socorros-a-5-com-chave.html

The cheaper options were smaller/worse. So don't bother looking there.

Also searched KuantoKusta product price comparison site: https://www.kuantokusta.pt/search?q=primeiros+socorros+movel

https://www.aosom.pt/item/homcom-armario-de-medicinas-botiquin-gabinete-de-primero-auxilios-acero-inox-3-estantes-caja-colgante-de-pared-con-cerradura-25x12x48cm~02-0546.html

Dunno if the Inox look is what we want ... But I like the translucent front. Would prefer transparent. But opaque is easier to keep clean. So happy to go with whatever you decide. Just be aware of the size. 👌

[Stephanymtr]

A well-stocked first aid cabinet is essential for addressing minor injuries and medical emergencies that may occur at home. Here is a list of supplies and medicines:

Basic Supplies:

• Adhesive Bandages: Various sizes and shapes to cover cuts and wounds.
• Sterile Gauze Pads: Used for cleaning and covering wounds.
• Adhesive Tape: Secure gauze, bandages, and dressings in place.
• Antiseptic Wipes or Solution: To clean wounds and prevent infection.
• Cotton Balls and Swabs: For cleaning and applying ointments.
• Scissors: For cutting tape, gauze, and clothing if needed.
• Tweezers: To remove splinters or foreign objects.
• Thermometer: Digital thermometers are convenient and accurate.
• Disposable Gloves: For infection control and protection.
• CPR Face Shield or Mask: Important for performing CPR safely.
• Instant Cold Packs: To reduce swelling and pain.
• Hot Water Bottle: Useful for applying heat to sore muscles.
• Elastic Bandage (e.g., Ace bandage): For supporting sprains and strains.
• First Aid Manual: Provides guidance on basic first aid procedures.
• Safety Pins: Useful for securing bandages or clothing.

Medications:

• Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin).
• Antihistamines: For allergies and insect bites (e.g., Benadryl).
• Antacids: For digestive issues and heartburn.
• Cough and Cold Medicine: Depending on family needs.
• Anti-diarrheal Medication: For gastrointestinal discomfort
• Laxatives: In case of constipation.
• Oral Rehydration Salts: Important for treating dehydration.
• Eye Drops: For minor eye irritations or allergies.
• Topical Hydrocortisone Cream: To relieve itching and skin irritations.
• Calamine Lotion: For soothing rashes and itching.

Additional Items: Baby supplies like baby aspirin, diaper rash cream, and baby-specific bandages.

[iteles]

I checked Leroy Merlin and the options above are unavailable throughout the country and I didn't see any others I liked.

This might be an option:

https://www.aosom.pt/item/kleankin-armario-farmacia-de-parede-armario-de-medicamentos-de-aco-com-3-niveis-porta-magnetica-30x12x60-cm-branco~1IMHR62QG6001.html

[nelsonic]

@iteles please include the price when sharing an item: https://www.aosom.pt/item/kleankin-armario-farmacia-de-parede-armario-de-medicamentos-de-aco-com-3-niveis-porta-magnetica-30x12x60-cm-branco~1IMHR62QG6001.html

€49.99 seems reasonable. 12cm deep should work. Should we order this on #BlackFriday €42,49 ...

[iteles]

@nelsonic On closer inspection, the model above doesn't have a key, which I think we do need (even if we keep it ontop of the cabinet, the important part is out of the hands of children).

There is this model which I prefer because it has the green cross (but we can buy a decal for that): https://www.aosom.pt/item/kleankin-armario-farmacia-de-parede-em-aco-com-3-prateleiras-de-armazenamento-e-2-chaves-para-casa-de-banho-30x14x46-cm~1DRT4B6KHLG00.html

Or this one which is a bit bigger: https://www.aosom.pt/item/kleankin-armario-farmacia-de-parede-com-3-prateleiras-de-armazenamento-e-fechadura-com-2-chaves-40x18x60cm-branco~1D0MUFVE03001.html

What do you think?

[nelsonic]

@iteles while I prefer the 18cm deep cabinet (the second one you've shared).

I was thinking of placing the First Aid Cabinet above the Dyson Hand Drier which is 10cm deep:

If instead we place the cabinet on the wall adjacent to the W/C then the depth is not an issue:

I'd go with the larger one even though it means we're likely to accumulate more stuff in there ... 💭

As for the green decal, we can easily buy one at a later date. 👌

[iteles]

The only reason I might not be keen on placing on the wall next to the w/c is because I'm not sure we can change the side to which the door of the cabinet opens. Can you tell from the images/listings if we can?

If we open a door into the mirror with a key still in it, the likelihood is that if this is done with any urgency it could crack the mirror, which would be a HUGE pain and would have be placing it above the hand dryer every day of the week...

[nelsonic]

A quick glance at the mounting holes on the rear of the cabinet and the design indicates that you can just flip it 180* and have the door on either side.

But also, the hinge is totally removable:

So we could easily mount it on the other.

However ... I just checked Amazon ES and there is a similar sized cabinet that I prefer: https://www.amazon.es/-/pt/dp/B00P6DW0FE

It's stainless steel (inox) and has a frosted glass door and cheaper (though smaller)

https://www.amazon.es/-/pt/dp/B007MXSWMQ/

I'd actually be willing to spend a bit more to have an attractive cabinet: https://www.amazon.es/-/pt/dp/B08HJ5MZCG

Given that I have to look at it every day ... 💭

But ultimately this is a utilitarian thing. So go with whichever you feel meets our needs. 👌

[nelsonic]

Yeah, let's put the med cabinet on another wall that doesn't risk breaking the mirror. 👌

[iteles]

If you think 50 x 30 x 18 cm is both big enough and won't stick out over the hand dryer by far too much (the AOSOM one I suggest above is 14cm deep), then get that one.

If not, let me know and I'll buy the AOSOM one now, which is €43,73 with the Black Friday 'sem IVA' promotion 👍 https://www.aosom.pt/item/kleankin-armario-farmacia-de-parede-em-aco-com-3-prateleiras-de-armazenamento-e-2-chaves-para-casa-de-banho-30x14x46-cm~1DRT4B6KHLG00.html?recv=eyJwYWdldHlwZSI6ImNydCJ9

[nelsonic]

@iteles 50cm x 30cm x 18cm is more than big enough for the items we need to store in it ... I might not be aware of everything that you want to store in the cabinet ... But from my experience of previous workplaces, the med cabinet tends to be quite small ...

[iteles]

No I'm totally happy with the size of the Amazon one, just didn't want the overhang to be too big.

Awesome, added the Amazon one to the cart 👍

[nelsonic]

Order placed. ✅

[nelsonic]

Arrived:

@iteles if you have 2 mins today to agree on the placement I can install/wall-mount it in 10mins. 👌

[nelsonic]

finally got agreement from Inês on the placement. Measured the height and perfect distance from the mirror - so that the cabinet door cannot bump into the mirror:

drilled the holes and mounted it to the wall:

so the easy (handyman) part is done. now we just have to populate the cabinet. assigning to @iteles for adding items to cabinet.

[nelsonic]

Closing as the cabinet is installed and has been used a few times. ✅