First aid kits are designed to help in emergencies, but many people don’t realise they have a shelf life. Whether it’s a Vehicle, home, school, or workplace first aid kit, the contents inside won’t last forever.
The kit itself doesn’t go out of date, but the materials inside can. Over time, exposure to air, heat, or moisture can affect the condition and reliability of the contents. This can impact their performance when you need them most.
Even when stored properly, many components in a kit are designed for limited use over a specific period. Regular maintenance helps ensure the contents are still safe and suitable for use.
You should replace used items as soon as they are used so that they are not missing from your kit in case of an emergency. Some items within your first aid kit can expire. Items that have passed their expiry date should be disposed of and replaced, as they may not be effective and can start to deteriorate, making them unsafe.
Please note that all of our St John Ambulance first aid consumables have a minimum shelf life of one year. The expiry date displayed on our first aid kit labels shows the earliest expiry date of an item within the kit.
How often should I check my first aid kit?
It’s recommended to review your first aid kit checklist every six months. This includes checking:
- Expiry dates on all medicines and creams
- Seal integrity on sterile items
- Functionality of items like scissors or tweezers
- Stock levels to ensure nothing essential is missing
- Creating a habit of checking your kit twice a year ensures you’re never caught off guard. If your kit is stored in a vehicle or another area prone to heat, you may want to inspect it more frequently.
Which first aid supplies expire?
- Plasters: Sometimes can lose their Adhesiveness.
- Bandages: Expired Bandages can deteriorate over time and lose their sterility.
- Wipes: It may dry out and be ineffective.
- Gloves: Expired gloves may not protect you from exposure to bloodborne pathogens
How do I check the product expiry date?
Understanding the important information you need to keep track of on your product label. Labels will typically show you:
- Product Code (REF) - This tells you the unique product number, which you can search our website for or quote to customer services when you need to replace your expired products.
- Revision (Rev) Date - This tells you the year and month the product artwork was last updated.
- LOT Number - Products are made in batches, this tells you the batch your product belongs to. If there is a recall or product safety update, this is the number you would have to check to see if your product has been affected.
- Expiry Date - This is typically shown after an egg timer symbol, this tells you the year and month the product expires and when you need to replace your products.
What if I can't find an expiry date?
Not all products have an expiry date, however, sterile items most often do. If a product is sterile and does not have an expiry date, it is best to check with the manufacturer to find out how long the product can be kept. If a non-sterile product has no expiry date, it's a question of judgment based on if the product is still suitable for use.
To make your supplies last longer, store your first aid kit in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Use labelled compartments or pouches to make it easier to track expiry dates.
