Do first aid kits expire? | Red Cross (2024)

Date Published: June 17, 2024

Responding to an emergency requires two components: knowing how to respond and having the first aid supplies to do so. Proper training in first aid is vital, but without the tools to administer first aid, your ability to respond is invalid.

First aid kits are commonplace in most public spaces, workplaces, and households. You may be wondering, how long do first aid kits last or do first aid kits expire? The short answer is yes, while first aid kit contents may last a long time, they should be replaced, and some contents are date sensitive.

Why do first aid kits expire?

Creams, gels, and oral medication not only lose their effectiveness over time but can also pose a serious health risk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that “Expired medical products can be less effective or risky due to a change in chemical composition or a decrease in strength. Certain expired medications are at risk of bacterial growth and sub-potent antibiotics can fail to treat infections, leading to more serious illnesses and antibiotic resistance.”

Things like bandages, tape, scissors, and gloves have a longer shelf life, but won’t last forever. Here’s why.

• Adhesives: Bandages' sticky areas can lose their adhesive qualities over time, which means they won’t do their job of protecting cuts and other wounds.
• Disintegration: Supplies like bandages, tape, scissors, and gloves in your first aid kit will degrade over time.
• Sterility: If not used by the expiration date, first aid supplies and packaging can lose integrity, allowing bacteria to enter the sterile dressings and tools.

What’s included in a first aid kit?

What’s included in a first aid kit varies depending on its purpose, intended number of users and location. For example, a family first aid kit may have different contents and quantity of supplies compared to a first aid cabinet for the workplace or a personal first aid kit.

Despite the specialization of a first aid kit, you can expect to see common items in most cases.

• Adhesive bandages (multiple quantities & sizes for minor bleeding)
• Alcohol wipes or other hand sanitizers
• Roller Bandages and Gauze Pads (for more severe bleeding)
• First aid booklet
• Fluids for cleaning (antiseptic, saline, distilled water)
• Gels, creams, and sprays (sting bite treatment, rash, and burn creams)
• Instant cold packs
• Aspirin tablets, chewable (for heart attack)
• Personal protective equipment (masks, non-latex gloves)
• Scissors and tweezers

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How long do first aid kits last?

The good news is that most items in a first aid kit have a long shelf life if they remain free of tears, cuts, or other damage to the packaging. The following first aid kit supplies may have up to five years of shelf life.

• Adhesive tape
• Compresses
• Eye pads
• Forceps
• Gauze bandages
• Instant cold packs
• Latex gloves
• Plastic or cloth strip bandages
• Scissors
• Sterile gauze and pads
• Tweezers

Bandages and adhesive tape may not go bad per se after five years, but they will lose their adhesiveness as they age. The same applies to compresses and gauze, which can last indefinitely but may get moldy or damaged.

The average shelf life for other supplies in a first aid kit vary.

• Alcohol wipes: two years
• Antibiotic ointment: two years
• Burn ointment: one to two years
• Eyewash: three years
• First aid cream or ointment: two years
• Hand sanitizer: four to five years

When in doubt, always defer to the expiration date printed on each component for when to replace any items in a first aid kit. An expiration date may also be printed at the bottom of the first aid kit to indicate when the first item will expire – keep in mind that this does not indicate the expiration date for every item in the kit, but the first item to expire.

How often should first aid kits be replaced?

It is crucial to review your first aid kit annually. If any items are expired, they should be replaced immediately. If an expiration date is not included, assess the item to ensure it is in good working order. For instance, if the packaging on the gauze is wet or discolored, it should be replaced even though it’s not technically expired.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to inspect your first aid kit.

1. Inspect the first aid kit container. Does it open and close correctly? Are there any cracks, breaks, or rust?
2. Remove the first aid contents and examine each item. Are there any damages to the packaging, like tears, stains, leaks, or openings? Are any items expired?
3. Clean the inside of the kit to remove any dust or debris. Dust and debris can cause friction, which may accelerate breakdown over time.
4. Replace supplies that are expired or damaged.
5. Document your review and keep the log nearby to note when you inspected the items.

A first aid kit provides you with a sense of security in your preparedness and provides care when needed most, especially when it is portable. Whether you need a larger first aid kit for home or work or a smaller personal kit, the American Red Cross offers a variety of first aid kits for cars, travel first aid kits, workplace first aid kits, OSHA first aid kits, and college first aid kits to help you give care in a variety of settings.