Every home needs a well-stocked first aid kit, and in Singapore that kit is often used by more than one person: parents, grandparents, older children and, in many households, a live-in helper. This guide to a first aid kit for Singapore homes covers what to keep in it, based on HealthHub’s recommended list, where to store it, how to keep it up to date, and how to make sure everyone in the household, including your helper, knows how and when to use it.
Most families have plasters somewhere. Fewer have a proper kit in one known place, with supplies that are not expired, and a household that knows when to treat at home and when to call 995. A first aid kit is never a substitute for medical care.
If someone is unconscious, not breathing normally, bleeding heavily, having a seizure, showing signs of a stroke or having severe chest pain, call 995 immediately. For anything you are unsure about, see a doctor.
Why every Singapore home needs a first aid kit
HealthHub describes a well-stocked first aid kit as a necessity in every home in its guide first aid for every home. Everyday accidents in a Singapore flat are usually small: a cut while preparing vegetables, a burn from a wok or kettle, a child’s grazed knee from the playground, an insect bite, or a twisted ankle on wet bathroom tiles.
Households with young children and elderly parents face more of these. A kit within easy reach means a small injury is cleaned and covered properly in minutes.
Having the kit ready also matters when a helper is home alone with children or an elderly parent. She needs to know exactly where it is, what is in it, and when to stop and call for help.
Things for a first aid kit: HealthHub’s basic list
HealthHub’s article, contributed by NHG Health, lists the following as the basic contents of a home kit:
- adhesive tape, to hold dressings in place;
- adhesive or elastic bandages in various sizes;
- alcohol swabs, for cleaning unbroken skin around a wound;
- antiseptic cream or solution;
- burn ointment;
- cotton balls;
- eye wash solution;
- plasters;
- scissors and tweezers;
- 20 ml of sodium chloride (saline), to clean wounds;
- two pairs of disposable gloves;
- six safety pins;
- a triangular bandage, to support an injured arm;
- sterile dressings or gauze.
Optional extras
HealthHub also suggests some optional supplies, depending on your household:
- a hot or cold pack for muscle aches and sprains;
- an antiseptic handwash;
- a thermometer.
A Singapore General Hospital emergency medicine specialist, writing on HealthXchange, adds crepe bandages and a CPR face shield or pocket mask to a similar list. If anyone in your household has latex allergies, choose non-latex gloves.
Medicines
HealthHub lists some common medicines families may keep, such as paracetamol for pain and fever, oral rehydration salts to prevent dehydration from diarrhoea, and calamine lotion for insect bites and mild rashes. The SGH specialist on HealthXchange cautions that medicines in the kit should be for family members only, because of the risk of allergies and interactions.
We would add a few household rules. Keep children’s and adults’ medicines clearly separated and labelled. Only give medicine according to the label or a doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions. And agree with your helper that she does not give any medicine, including to children, unless you have told her exactly what, how much and when. HealthHub also notes that a pharmacist can help you choose suitable supplies for your home.
Tailoring the kit to your household
HealthHub advises tailoring the kit to the people in your home. A few common situations:
- Babies and young children. Keep a thermometer, and write your child’s weight and their doctor’s dosing instructions for fever medicine on a card in the kit. Childproof the storage. Our guide to childproofing your home covers medicine cabinets and other hazards.
- Elderly parents. Add extra non-stick dressings for fragile skin, and keep a written list of their medical conditions, medications and allergies with the kit, ready to hand to paramedics. Falls are a major risk, so see our fall prevention checklist.
- Chronic conditions. If a family member has asthma, severe allergies or diabetes, their doctor may prescribe emergency medicines or supplies. Keep these where they can be reached quickly, and make sure everyone knows the plan.
Where to keep it and how to check it
HealthHub says the kit should be kept within easy reach. In practice, that means somewhere everyone in the household knows and can reach quickly, but young children cannot. A high kitchen cupboard is a common choice in HDB flats and condos, since many minor injuries happen while cooking.
A simple routine keeps the kit useful:
- Keep it in one fixed place. Do not let supplies drift into different drawers. If something is used, it goes back in the kit.
- Restock after use. The SGH specialist on HealthXchange advises restocking items after use.
- Check expiry dates regularly. Medicines, creams, saline and eye wash all have expiry dates. Pick a recurring date, such as the start of each school term or when you renew your helper’s Work Permit, and check every item.
- Check condition. Singapore’s humidity can affect adhesive on plasters and tape, and sterile packaging that is torn or damp is no longer sterile. Replace anything that looks damaged.
- Keep a contact card in the lid. Write 995 for emergencies, your family doctor’s clinic, the nearest polyclinic or hospital, and your own mobile numbers. You can also add the NurseFirst helpline, 6262 6262, which the Ministry of Health lists for non-emergency advice.
Basic first aid every household should know
A kit is only as useful as the person using it. These basics come from Singapore public healthcare sources, but they are not a substitute for a proper first aid course.
Minor cuts and grazes
The SGH guidance on HealthXchange is to clean the wound under running water, apply an antiseptic or antibiotic cream, and cover it with a plaster or bandage. For bleeding from a minor cut, apply direct pressure with a sterile dressing. Seek medical care for deep cuts, wounds that will not stop bleeding, wounds with something embedded in them, or wounds that become red, swollen or ooze pus.
Burns and scalds
HealthHub’s guidance on burns and scalds in children is to run cool water over the burn as soon as possible for 20 minutes, until the pain eases, and not to use ice. HealthHub also advises against applying creams, ointments, oils or grease, except for mild sunburn. KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital specifically warns against home remedies such as toothpaste, soy sauce, oil or powder, which may introduce bacteria. The SGH specialist on HealthXchange advises seeking emergency care if a burn blisters, the skin is intensely red or blotchy, there is severe pain or swelling, or a large area is burned.
When to call 995
Call 995 for life-threatening emergencies, such as someone who is unconscious or not breathing normally, severe bleeding, chest pain, difficulty breathing, a seizure, or signs of a stroke such as a drooping face, arm weakness or slurred speech. Keep 995 for life-threatening emergencies only. The Ministry of Health has announced that the 1777 non-emergency ambulance hotline will cease from 1 January 2027. For non-emergency transport, MOH points to the list of private ambulance operators at go.gov.sg/pao, and for non-emergency medical advice, to the NurseFirst helpline at 6262 6262.
Learning CPR is one of the most valuable things a household can do. A short accredited course teaches adults to recognise a cardiac arrest, start chest compressions and use an AED until paramedics arrive.
Making sure your helper knows the kit
If you employ a live-in helper, she is often the person on the spot when a child falls or an elderly parent feels unwell. A few minutes of preparation makes a big difference.
- Show her the kit on her first days. Open it together, name each item and explain what it is for. Our checklist for preparing your home for your helper’s arrival is a good time to do this.
- Agree clear rules. Make it clear what she can handle, such as cleaning and covering a small cut, and when she must call you, a doctor or 995. Write these rules down in simple English.
- Put the emergency card where she can see it. Include your home address and postal code, since she may need to give them to the 995 operator.
- Remember the kit is for her too. Helpers get cuts and burns in the kitchen like anyone else. If she is hurt or unwell, our guide on what to do if your helper is sick or injured explains employers’ responsibilities.
If you are hiring a full-time live-in helper, ask about her previous experience with children or elderly care, and plan to walk her through your household’s first aid and emergency arrangements in her first week.
Related guides: Hiring a Maid in Singapore: A First-Time Employer's Guide and Benefits of Hiring a Maid Through an Agency: Singapore 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be in a first aid kit for a Singapore home?
HealthHub’s basic list includes adhesive tape, bandages, alcohol swabs, antiseptic cream or solution, burn ointment, cotton balls, eye wash, plasters, scissors and tweezers, saline, disposable gloves, safety pins, a triangular bandage and sterile gauze. Optional extras include a hot or cold pack, antiseptic handwash and a thermometer. Tailor it to the people in your home.
Where should I keep my home first aid kit?
Keep it in one fixed place that every adult in the household, including your helper, knows and can reach quickly, but that young children cannot. A high kitchen cupboard works well in many Singapore homes, because many minor injuries happen while cooking. Put supplies back after use so the kit stays complete.
How often should I check my first aid kit?
Check it regularly and after every use. Restock anything used, check expiry dates on medicines, creams, saline and eye wash, and replace anything with damaged or damp packaging, which humidity can cause. Choosing a fixed reminder, such as the start of each school term, makes it easier to remember.
Should my helper give medicine from the first aid kit?
Only if you have given clear instructions. Agree in advance exactly which medicine, how much and when, especially for children, where doses depend on age and weight. HealthXchange advises that medicines in the kit should be for family members only, because of allergy and interaction risks. When in doubt, she should call you or a doctor.
When should we call 995 instead of using the first aid kit?
Call 995 for life-threatening emergencies: someone unconscious or not breathing normally, severe bleeding, chest pain, breathing difficulty, a seizure, or stroke signs such as face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech. Use the kit for minor cuts, grazes and small burns, and see a doctor for anything you are unsure about.
Conclusion
A good home first aid kit is simple: HealthHub’s basic list, a few extras for the people in your household, kept in one known place, restocked after use and checked regularly for expiry. Add an emergency contact card, and the kit becomes a small system rather than a box of random plasters.
The most important part is people. Make sure every adult in the home, including your helper, knows where the kit is, what it is for, and when to stop and call 995. A short conversation now can make a frightening moment much calmer later.
If you are preparing your home for a new helper and want to talk through how to set up routines like this, we are here to help. You can get in touch with the Femme5 team to discuss your family’s needs, read more about how we work with employers, or explore what a good placement looks like.
The Femme5 Team
Maid placement specialists, Femme5 Maid Agency
Our consultants work with Singaporean and expatriate families on helper matching, contracts and MOM compliance, and we verify the regulatory guidance in our articles directly against the Ministry of Manpower’s published requirements.
