How long does a first aid kit last?
Bandages and gauze in a first aid kit usually stay sterile and sticky for about 3–5 years, while medicines and ointments in it typically expire within 1–3 years, so check the kit yearly.
| First Aid Kit Supplies | |
|---|---|
| Unopened | Dressings: about 3–5 years. Medicines and ointments: 1–3 years (check each date) |
| After use | Restock after every use; inspect the whole kit at least once a year |
| Ideal storage | Cool and dry; a car kit ages faster from heat. |
Storage tips
- Put the earliest expiry date on a label on the outside of the kit.
- Tourniquets and gloves degrade too: replace cracked or sticky ones.
Signs it has gone bad
- Tablets that are discolored, crumbling, sticky or smell unusual (aspirin that smells of vinegar)
- Torn or damp sterile packaging on dressings and gauze
- Brittle elastic, cracked rubber or adhesive that no longer sticks
- Any liquid medicine that has changed color or become cloudy