We feel that it is important that all households should keep a reasonably stocked medical cabinet at home to deal with minor ailments.

Remember all medicines should be stored in a box or cupboard with a lock and be kept well out of the reach of children.

Always check the expiry date on medicines and do not keep medicines for future use, as many of them lose their effect or become dangerous.

Recommeded additions to the Family Medicine Chest

• Aspirin Tablets: For adults or children over 16. Good for headaches, colds, sore throats and painful bruises
• Paracetamol Tablets/Mixture: For relief of pain or fever in adults use tablets. For young children use mixture
• Sedative Cough Linctus: For dry or painful coughs – but not coughs caused by a common cold
• Menthol Crystals: Add to hot water to make a steam inhalation for treating catarrh and dry painful coughs
• Vapour Rub: Again, for steam inhalation in adults. Also useful for children with stuffy noses or dry coughs. Rub on chest and nose
• Antiseptic Solution: One teaspoon diluted in warm water for cleaning cuts and grazes
• Antiseptic Cream: For treating septic spots, sores in the nose and grazes
• Calamine Lotion: For dabbing (not rubbing) on insect bites, stings and sunburn
• Dressing Strips: For minor cuts
• 3″ Wide Crepe Bandage: To keep dressings in place. To support sprained or bruised joints
• Cotton Wool: For cleaning cuts and grazes
• Tweezers: For removing splinters

Remember that your local chemist can give advice about medicines.