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Date Published: June 17, 2024
Responding to an emergency requires two components: knowing how to respond and having the first aid supplies to do so. Proper training in first aid is vital, but without the tools to administer first aid, your ability to respond is invalid.
First aid kits are commonplace in most public spaces, workplaces, and households. You may be wondering, how long do first aid kits last or do first aid kits expire? The short answer is yes, while first aid kit contents may last a long time, they should be replaced, and some contents are date sensitive.
Creams, gels, and oral medication not only lose their effectiveness over time but can also pose a serious health risk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that “Expired medical products can be less effective or risky due to a change in chemical composition or a decrease in strength. Certain expired medications are at risk of bacterial growth and sub-potent antibiotics can fail to treat infections, leading to more serious illnesses and antibiotic resistance.”
Things like bandages, tape, scissors, and gloves have a longer shelf life, but won’t last forever. Here’s why.
What’s included in a first aid kit varies depending on its purpose, intended number of users and location. For example, a family first aid kit may have different contents and quantity of supplies compared to a first aid cabinet for the workplace or a personal first aid kit.
Despite the specialization of a first aid kit, you can expect to see common items in most cases.
View all our first aid kits and first aid supplies at the Red Cross Store.
For Emergency Preparedness products and additional First Aid items you may be looking for, please visit US First Aid and Preparedness, an official provider of American Red Cross approved products.
The good news is that most items in a first aid kit have a long shelf life if they remain free of tears, cuts, or other damage to the packaging. The following first aid kit supplies may have up to five years of shelf life.
Bandages and adhesive tape may not go bad per se after five years, but they will lose their adhesiveness as they age. The same applies to compresses and gauze, which can last indefinitely but may get moldy or damaged.
The average shelf life for other supplies in a first aid kit vary.
When in doubt, always defer to the expiration date printed on each component for when to replace any items in a first aid kit. An expiration date may also be printed at the bottom of the first aid kit to indicate when the first item will expire – keep in mind that this does not indicate the expiration date for every item in the kit, but the first item to expire.
It is crucial to review your first aid kit annually. If any items are expired, they should be replaced immediately. If an expiration date is not included, assess the item to ensure it is in good working order. For instance, if the packaging on the gauze is wet or discolored, it should be replaced even though it’s not technically expired.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to inspect your first aid kit.
A first aid kit provides you with a sense of security in your preparedness and provides care when needed most, especially when it is portable. Whether you need a larger first aid kit for home or work or a smaller personal kit, the American Red Cross offers a variety of first aid kits for cars, travel first aid kits, workplace first aid kits, OSHA first aid kits, and college first aid kits to help you give care in a variety of settings.
Training Services is a division of the American Red Cross with the mission to spread knowledge and educate as many members of the national community in lifesaving procedures. Our services include training courses for CPR and AED, First Aid, BLS (Basic Life Support), babysitting, Caregiving, Lifeguarding Water Safety, and more.
