Affordable First Aid Supplies

I am always on the look out for a good deal, especially when it comes to stocking my pantry and emergency supply closet.  With five children I only have a small part of the budget left each month to spend on items for our emergency kits. I am always keeping my eyes peeled for emergency supplies that are on sale, and sometimes I find them in places that I wouldn't normally think of as an emergency supply store.

About 3 times per year, Big Lots stores have a 20% off day.  On the sale day you will get 20% off your entire purchase!  I wait for this day to do my "basics" shopping.  I purchase napkins, paper goods, snacks, storage bags of all sizes, cleaning supplies, sponges, small birthday presents for kids parties, gift bags, tissue paper,  rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, cotton balls, Qtips, and believe it or not, first aid supplies. 

Band aids are always on my list when I go to Big Lots, but this time I took a little time to look at what else they had.  My favorite find was the Disney Ice Patches.  If I was in an emergency situation and we needed ice for an injury this would take the place of actual ice.  Each box has 3 adhesive patches that last up to 4 hours and can be applied directly to the skin.  The patches can even be cut to fit a certain area.  Whenever I get a migraine I apply an ice pack to my forehead and the back of my neck to relieve the pain, and now I can still have relief without electricity!  I also purchased pain reliever gel, band aids, elastic bandage wraps (like Ace bandages), and first aid tape that sticks to itself.  The best part, the ice packs were the most expensive item at around $3.00 after the 20% off discount. They also had first aid cremes, surgical gloves, and pain reliever medicine but we are already well stocked with those.

 If you are worried about durability, don't be!  We have used the Royal brand of band aids for a couple of years from Big Lots and they are really good.  They are a fabric type band aid and they hold up to my kids cuts and scrapes.  A lot of the items are name brand but are at clearance prices.  I added all of these items to our first aid bag, and while I hope I will never need any of them, I feel secure knowing I have them.  If you have a Big Lots store near you check it out and see if any of these items will work for you.  If you sign up for Big Lots emails, you will get a heads up on the next 20% off sale day, plus other deals as well.