A well-stocked first aid kit is a necessity in all workplaces, schools, businesses and healthcare settings. But as well as ensuring the first aid kit is equipped with everything you may need, it’s also important to know what expires in a first aid kit, and the typical shelf life of first aid items.
To be fully prepared in the event of a medical emergency, all the products in a first aid kit should be in good working order – and this includes still being within date.
What expires in a first aid kit?
The expiration date of first aid supplies will vary for individual items, and you should follow the advice of the manufacturer where possible. Most items in a first aid kit that have a limited shelf life will have their expiry date printed on them, as well as the manufacture date.
Here is a general guide for the shelf life of some common products found in first aid kits:
Sterile items
Sterile items will almost always have an expiry date, as the packaging can lose integrity over time. This can lead to contamination of the previously sterile product, which can cause a risk of infection if applied to a wound.
Items such as sterile dressings and sterile gauze typically have a shelf life of 2 to 5 years – so make sure you check the date printed on sterile products each time you take stock of what’s in the first aid kit.
Bandages
Adhesive bandages will lose their effectiveness over time, as the adhesive becomes less sticky. In addition, cohesive bandages can lose their sterility over time. On average, bandages have a shelf life of around 3 to 5 years.
Pain relief medication
Pain relief medication, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets, may have varying expiration dates. Rather than being a date where the item ‘goes off’, it’s the date that the manufacturer can guarantee the product will be equally potent up to. To ensure correct dosing, always check pain relief medication is within date.
Antiseptic wipes
Antiseptic wipes can dry out over time and be ineffective, as well as losing their sterility. The shelf life of antiseptic wipes is usually 1 year, but follow the printed expiration date on the product. If the wipes are dry to the touch, it’s a good sign they need to be replaced.
First aid gloves
Gloves can degrade over time, increasing the likelihood of them tearing during use. The use of gloves is important when handling anything infectious, so gloves within a first aid kit should always be in date.
Expired first aid supplies
In a medical emergency, some items in a first aid kit that have passed their expiration date may still be used if they are all that is available. But when expired, first aid supplies are potentially not as effective or sterile, which can cause issues. It’s best to ensure that expired products in a first aid kit are replaced with up to date items before they are needed.
Other factors that impact medical supplies expiring
There are factors other than time that can contribute to the degrading of items in a first aid kit. Things that might cause first aid products to degrade faster include:
- Where the kit is stored: Aim to store it in a cool, dry place where possible to reduce the chance of damage to the first aid supplies
- Humidity
- Moisture: First aid products that get damp or wet can go mouldy
- Extreme temperatures (hot and cold): Can damage items and medications
- Exposure to light
While also following the expiration date on the medical products, it’s a good rule to examine the products regularly for any damage to packaging or signs of degradation that may impact the item or render it ineffective.
Regularly check your first aid kit
Be aware of what expires in a first aid kit – and this may vary depending on the brands of the individual products themselves. Medical kits should regularly be checked not only for items that have been used and need to be replaced, but also for products that have passed their expiration date.
Ordering wholesale medical supplies is a great way to keep your first aid kit stocked with all the essentials, and ensure they are within their expiry dates and in good working order. Be prepared for anything from minor injuries to medical emergencies in your workplace, school or healthcare setting by ensuring your first aid kit is fully stocked with everything you may need.
Shop wholesale medical supplies
Here at LFA First Response, we stock a wide variety of high quality first aid supplies at wholesale prices to help you replenish your first aid kit and ensure all the products are effective and up to date.
Our products have the best expiry dates so you know your first aid supplies will have a long shelf life. As you use items from the first aid kit, and as products expire and need to be replaced, shop wholesale medical supplies to replace them and keep the first aid kit in your workplace or classroom fully stocked at all times.
