First Aid Notebook Scaffold

A calm home reference for minor injuries and symptoms

Your first aid notebook

Pick a situation. Fill in supplies, care steps, and notes that match your household. Your pages are saved in this browser so you can come back and update them after doctor visits or new experiences.

Cuts and scrapes

Minor wounds that stop with gentle pressure

Get medical help if

  • The wound is deep, gaping, or will not stop bleeding after 10 minutes of pressure.
  • It was caused by a bite, a dirty object, or rust.
  • You see redness spreading, swelling, warmth, or pus in the next day or two.
  • The person has not had a tetanus shot in the last 5 to 10 years.

Quick reference

A short panel you can glance at while you fill in your notebook. It is not a full guide, just a reminder of the main ideas.

Before anything else

  • Check for danger. Move the person away from heat, traffic, or more stings.
  • Wash your hands or put on gloves if you have them.
  • Call emergency services first if the person is unresponsive, bleeding heavily, or struggling to breathe.

Three things to write down

  • What happened and when it started.
  • What you did, including medicine names and times.
  • What changed next, for better or worse.

When to call a doctor

  • Symptoms get worse instead of better.
  • Pain is severe or not improving.
  • You are unsure and want reassurance.

Household numbers

  • Emergency: 911
  • Doctor or clinic: Not set
  • Local pharmacy: Add in your notes
  • Poison control: 1-800-222-1222 (US)

Common mistakes at home

People reach for the wrong thing because it sounds familiar. These notes help you avoid the most common ones.

Situation What people try Why it can backfire What to do instead
Cuts Hydrogen peroxide or alcohol every dayCan slow healing and irritate the wound Rinse with clean water and cover with a simple bandage
Burns Butter, oil, or iceTraps heat or causes more damage Cool running water for 10 to 20 minutes
Fever Cold baths or rubbing alcoholCan cause shivering and raise temperature further Light clothing, fluids, and medicine when needed
Stings Squeezing the stinger with tweezersCan push more venom into the skin Scrape the stinger sideways with a flat edge
Nosebleeds Tilting the head backBlood can run into the throat and cause coughing Lean forward and pinch the soft part of the nose
Sprains Walking it off right awayCan turn a mild injury into a longer problem Rest, ice, compression, and elevation for the first day

About this notebook

This scaffold exists because most people do not forget what to do on purpose. They forget because stress is loud and the internet is noisy. A short notebook you filled in yourself is faster than searching again.

Why a notebook

Writing things down helps you remember. It also forces you to check what you actually have at home. Bandages, ice packs, medicine ages, allergies, and phone numbers. When you write them once, you do not have to guess later.

How to use it

Pick a situation on the left. Use the sample care steps as a starting point, then replace them with details that match your home. Add your own notes, medications, allergies, and emergency numbers. Save the page and print a copy for your kitchen, bag, or medicine cabinet.

What this is not

This is not a diagnosis. It is not a substitute for your doctor, your local emergency number, or your common sense. If something feels serious or you are unsure, call for help first. Fill in the notebook later.

When to update it

Return to your notebook after doctor visits, new scares, or when caring for a different family member. Update medicine names, doses, and allergies at least twice a year. A notebook that never changes starts to drift from reality.

Last reviewed: 2026. Version 1.0. This page is static and runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.