Home Emergency Medicine Cabinet: What Really Belongs Inside

During a blackout, pharmacies are often closed or inaccessible. Ambulances are overloaded. Hospitals are operating in emergency mode. Anyone who falls ill or is injured at such a time must be able to help themselves.

This list shows you what should be in a well-stocked home first-aid kit.

Category	Essential contents	Function in a crisis	Wolf’s unvarnished verdict
1. Long-term medication	Individual, prescription-only medicines	Survival with chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart disease)	“There must be no gaps here. During a power cut, pharmacies have no IT systems and cannot check prescriptions. Keep a supply for at least 14 days!”
2. Acute medication	Painkillers, fever reducers, gastrointestinal medicines, disinfectants	Symptom relief when GP surgeries are closed	“Stress reigns during a blackout. Gastrointestinal disorders and severe headaches are statistically the most common crisis symptoms. Check expiry dates!”
3. Trauma / dressing materials	Sterile compresses, bandages, pressure dressings, tourniquets, scissors	First aid for serious physical injuries	“Forget the expired car first-aid kit. You need robust, easily accessible materials that can stop even heavy, spurting bleeding in the dark.”

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Dressing materials and wound care

• ☐ Plasters in various sizes (at least 30–50)
• ☐ Wound dressings / sterile compresses (5×5cm, 10×10cm)
• ☐ Gauze bandages (5cm and 10cm wide)
• ☐ Elastic bandages (for sprains)
• ☐ Triangular bandage (arm sling, improvised bandage)
• ☐ Wound disinfectant (Octenisept or Betaisodona)
• ☐ Scissors (blunt/sharp)
• ☐ Tweezers
• ☐ Disposable gloves (at least 20 pairs)
• ☐ Emergency blanket (gold/silver)

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Medicines (over-the-counter / OTC)

Note: If in doubt, consult a doctor or pharmacist. Always follow the dosage instructions on the package leaflet.

Pain and fever:

• ☐ Ibuprofen 400mg (adults)
• ☐ Paracetamol 500mg (also suitable for children / pregnant women)
• ☐ Aspirin (additional — not for children)

Stomach and gut:

• ☐ Loperamide (diarrhoea — important if water quality is uncertain)
• ☐ Electrolyte powder (rehydration)
• ☐ Activated charcoal tablets (if poisoning is suspected)
• ☐ Anti-nausea medication (for nausea/vomiting)
• ☐ Magnesium / antacid (heartburn)

Skin and eyes:

• ☐ Hydrocortisone cream (insect bites, irritation)
• ☐ Wound and healing ointment (e.g. Bepanthen)
• ☐ Eye wash
• ☐ Sun cream (SPF 50) — also important during summer blackouts

Miscellaneous:

• ☐ Antihistamine (for allergy sufferers: appropriate for the allergen)
• ☐ Cough syrup / tablets
• ☐ Nasal drops
• ☐ Blister plasters (long walks during the blackout)

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Personal medication — the most critical point

Anyone taking regular medication (for blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, mental health, thyroid, etc.) must have a supply of at least 4 weeks’ worth at home.

Here’s how:

• Ask your doctor for a repeat prescription in good time (not just when the pack is empty)
• Print out a list of your medicines: active ingredient, dosage, indication
• For temperature-sensitive medicines (insulin, etc.): draw up a cooling plan for power cuts

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Storing your emergency medicine kit

• Store in a cool (max. 25°C) and dark place
• Not in the bathroom (humidity)
• Keep under child-proof lock if there are children in the household
• Check expiry dates once a year
• In a sturdy box or bag — within easy reach, not scattered about

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30 minutes of preparation can save lives

A complete home first-aid kit costs a one-off sum of €50–100 and half an afternoon’s shopping. In the event of a blackout, it can be crucial.

Combined with a good emergency rucksack, you’ll be prepared for almost any situation:
👉 Emergency rucksacks with first-aid kits: The best models →
👉 Emergency kit for a power cut: The complete guide →