Simple Cycling First-Aid Kit for Children

Simple Cycling First-Aid Kit for Children

Kaitlin Benz

    Like any other sport, cycling comes with many risks, even if you do everything right and wear the right gear. Accidents still happen, and it is critically important to have the knowledge and gear on hand to deal with those medical emergencies before they happen. This holds especially true for little ones, who may just be learning how to ride independently or don’t yet have the confidence of an experienced rider. A great way to encourage bike safety and make sure your kids are protected is to build a cycling first aid kit with them. As well as being a fun, interactive activity, it gives you as the parent a peace of mind knowing your child has the tools to keep safe and it teaches them how to assess a medical situation. Some things that you will want to toss into this first-aid kit before hitting the road include:

    Bandages to use in case of minor cuts and scrapes from falls. These also come in handy to cover up blisters with as you’re breaking in a brand new pair of cycling shoes! Even if you never end up needing one, chances are you’ll come across someone who will need one, and it’s better to be over prepared than under prepared. They come in several different sizes, colors, and styles, and sometimes can even be found with your child’s favorite cartoon character on them, which adds to the fun that much more!

    Antibiotic cream goes hand in hand with the bandages. If a scrape or cut happens due to a fall, this cream is going to help the wound feel better as well as clean out all of the dirt and bacteria within the wound that can be found from falling outdoors. This is the easiest way to prevent infection of an open wound and it comes in small travel sizes, perfect for tossing into an on the go first-aid kit.

    Sunscreen is going to be an essential in any first-aid kit because good cycling weather is most often on bright, sunny and warm days. Even on cloudy days the sun is strong enough to shine its rays onto sensitive skin! No one wants to have to deal with an itchy, hot sunburn while they’re riding, and applying sunscreen daily has profound long-term effects for healthier skin as well. Most sunscreen brands come in travel sizes that are perfect for a small first-aid kit and have varying degrees of SPF protection to choose from, and some even have cool scents for your young rider to choose from.

    Medical information cards are one of the most important things for a cyclist to carry in their bag, especially for kids who are shy, not able to remember all of their medical information, or who are nonverbal. These cards should include their address and emergency contact information (Mom and Dad most likely), a list of known allergies, medications that the child currently takes, and their insurance provider as well as which hospital accepts that insurance. This card is a potentially life-saving document in the face of a life threatening medical emergency. The hope is that something like this never has to be used, but something does happen, that card is going to help emergency responders assess the situation more effectively and efficiently.

    These essentials can all be thrown into a small bag and kept permanently in your child’s cycling pack for roadside bumps, bruises, and medical emergencies. Together this all costs under $20 to create and pack for a lifetime of safety and confidence to hit the road in style and safety!