Is Your First Aid Kit Race-Ready?

Is Your First Aid Kit Race-Ready This Cup Day (and Every Celebration After)?

Cup Day in Melbourne’s north-west is about more than just horses.
It’s the smell of the BBQ, family picnics at Brimbank Park, kids running around the backyard, and the first real hint that summer is on its way.

But between the drinks, the food, and the excitement, accidents happen faster than the race itself. From stings to burns, or even just a scraped knee, being prepared can turn chaos into calm — and that starts with a well-stocked first aid kit.

So, before you dust off the picnic rug and pop the esky in the car, here’s how to make sure your first aid kit is race-ready this Cup Day (and every celebration to come).

Why Cup Day and the Holiday Season Are Prime Time for Accidents

Public holidays mean relaxed routines. We eat outside, drink a bit more, and pay a little less attention — especially once the race starts.
Here are some of the common mishaps we see every year in the north-west Melbourne region:

• Burns from BBQs, hot trays, or bonfires
• Cuts from broken glass, knives, or bottle openers that slip
• Bee or wasp stings around gardens and parks
• Falls from backyard games, decks, or trampolines
• Food poisoning from hot weather picnics
• Dehydration or heat exhaustion, especially if you mix alcohol with a hot day

Most of these are minor — if you have the right gear on hand.

The Top 10 Must-Have Items in Your First Aid Kit

If it’s been a while since you checked your kit, open it up now. Dust doesn’t heal anyone.

Here’s what every household, picnic basket, and worksite in Melbourne’s north-west should have ready to go:

1. Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
   For cuts, scrapes, or blisters. Think of these as your everyday heroes.

2. Sterile saline solution or eye wash
   Great for rinsing sand, dirt, or BBQ ash out of eyes and wounds.

3. Antiseptic wipes or spray
   Clean before you cover. It stops infection and gets rid of those mystery germs.

4. Non-stick wound pads and adhesive tape
   For larger cuts or grazes that need more than a Band-Aid.

5. Burn gel or hydrogel dressing
   If someone grabs the BBQ plate or tips hot food on themselves, cool under running water for 20 minutes, then apply burn gel.

6. Instant cold pack
   For bumps, sprains, or bruises — or even to keep the drinks cool in a pinch.

7. Tweezers
   For splinters, bee stings, or when someone steps on a prickly burr at Woodlands Historic Park.

8. Disposable gloves
   Because no one needs a side order of infection at the BBQ.

9. Elastic bandages (crepe or compression)
   Perfect for rolled ankles, light support, or holding cold packs in place.

10. A small first aid booklet or quick reference card
    Even trained people forget steps under pressure. Keep a simple guide handy.

Bonus Items Worth Adding

• Hydration salts or electrolyte sachets – handy for hot days or hangovers.
• Scissors – make sure they’re sharp enough to cut tape and fabric.
• Antihistamines – for insect bites or mild allergic reactions.
• A thermometer – especially useful if kids are around.
• Pain relief – paracetamol or ibuprofen (check expiry dates).

The Quick Kit Check: Is Yours Up to Scratch?

Take five minutes to go through your kit before Cup Day.
Tick these off as you go:

☐ Everything is in date and unopened
☐ Bandages are still elastic (not dry or sticky)
☐ Scissors and tweezers are clean and rust-free
☐ Burn gel and saline haven’t expired
☐ Instant cold packs are intact (not popped)
☐ Gloves haven’t perished
☐ There’s a basic first aid instruction sheet
☐ The kit is easy to find and not buried behind the Christmas decorations

If you’ve ticked every box, give yourself a pat on the back — you’re officially race-ready.

If not, it might be time to call AB First Aid for a kit restock or an equipment update before the summer season.

Common Cup Day Accidents (and Quick Fixes)

Minor burn from the BBQ:

• Cool under running water for 20 minutes.
• Do not use ice, butter, or creams.
• Cover loosely with a sterile dressing or cling wrap.

Cut finger from kitchen prep:

• Rinse the wound with clean water.
• Apply pressure with a sterile pad to stop bleeding.
• Cover with a clean dressing.

Bee or wasp sting in the garden:

• Remove the stinger (scrape it out, don’t squeeze).
• Wash the area and apply a cold pack.
• Watch for swelling, breathing trouble, or dizziness. If they have an EpiPen, use it and call 000.

Dehydration or heat exhaustion:

• Move to shade or indoors.
• Sip water slowly or use electrolytes.
• Cool the body with a damp towel or cold pack.
• If confusion or fainting occurs, call 000.

Sprained ankle during backyard cricket:

• Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation and Refer (RICER).
• If it swells badly or they can’t walk, get it checked.

Where First Aid Really Counts in the North-West

We see a lot of preventable injuries every summer across Melton, Keilor, Sunbury, and Tullamarine.
Whether it’s a slip by the pool, a wasp sting in the park, or a heat-related collapse during a long BBQ, having a stocked kit and some first aid know-how makes a world of difference.

Even if you never open it, the peace of mind is worth it.

Holiday-Ready First Aid: Think Beyond Cup Day

Once the Cup is run and won, summer celebrations kick off fast — Christmas parties, school break-ups, and family trips.
A single first aid kit that lives in the car or picnic bag can cover it all.

Top tip: If your kit has lived in the boot since last Christmas, check it now. Heat and time can spoil products faster than you think.

When to Restock or Upgrade

If your kit is missing items, out of date, or scattered across the glove box, it’s time for a refresh.
AB First Aid supplies compliant first aid kits for homes, workplaces, and vehicles across Melbourne’s north-west.
We also run short, practical training sessions to show you how to use what’s inside — because having the gear is only half the story.

A five-minute check today could save you hours in urgent care later.

Final Tip: First Aid Shouldn’t Be Boring

First aid kits are like insurance — no one gets excited about them until they need one.
So, take a light-hearted approach:
Make it part of your Cup Day prep. You’ve chilled the drinks, prepped the food, printed your sweep… now check your first aid kit.

It’s the simplest bet you can make for a safe and happy summer.

References & Resources

• Better Health Channel

• Safe Work Australia – First Aid in the Workplace

• AB First Aid – First Aid Kit Restock and Compliance Services