What to Put in a Dorm First Aid Kit (and What to Skip)

Few students pack a first aid kit until the night they need one. A small, well-chosen kit handles the common things in a dorm: cuts, blisters, a fever, a sprained ankle from intramurals, a cold that moves through the hall.

This is general guidance, not medical advice. Read every label, and if your student takes other medications or has a health condition, check with a pharmacist or their doctor.

The essentials

• A stocked first aid kit: bandages in several sizes, gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes and blister pads.
• A digital thermometer: the first question any campus health center will ask is "what's your temperature?"
• A pain and fever reliever: one the student already knows they tolerate, in a clearly labeled bottle.
• Reusable ice packs: for sprains and headaches, kept in the mini fridge freezer.
• A weekly pill organizer: helpful for anyone on a regular medication or vitamins.

Small comforts that help

• Herbal tea for evenings when they feel run down.
• A sleep mask for a roommate who stays up late.
• Tissues and throat drops for cold season.

What to skip

• Large bottles of medicine: a dorm room is small, and expired medicine is common. Buy small and replace.
• Prescription items: those go through the student's doctor and pharmacy.
• Anything sharp or flammable: many dorms ban candles and some heating devices.

The ready-made version

The Wellness Cabinet gathers the Be Smart Get Prepared 110-piece first aid kit, a 10-second digital thermometer, reusable gel ice packs, an extra-strength acetaminophen, a 7-day pill organizer, herbal tea and a blackout sleep mask.

For a student who is already sick, the Restorative Care Package sends soup, electrolytes, soft tissues, throat drops, ginger tea and a warm throw. A vegetarian version is available.

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