Why do First Aid Kits Expire?

10 Dec 2020 Safety Supplies

It is incredibly important to ensure that your first aid kit is up to date and fully equipped to ensure the safety of anyone who uses it. Although many parts of a first aid kit will last for a very long time, other components can expire and will need to be replaced. Be sure to check the expiration date on your first aid kits regularly and, if they have passed or are nearing their expiration dates, check with a first aid kit supplier like EFAS Safety to get the kits replaced. At EFAS Safety, they are always happy to discuss why first aids kits expire and what items in a kit are no longer safe to use.

Learn more about how often first aid kids should be replaced.

Why Do First Aid Kits Have Expiration Dates?

If a first aid kit has expired, it means that certain items inside it have become compromised in terms of their usability or sterility. This can mean that these materials are no longer safe to use in an emergency and, if an accident were to happen, you would be limited on how you are able to react to the situation.

Some of the items in a first aid kit that can expire include:

Medicine

All medicine has an expiration date. After this date, most medicine simply loses its effectiveness. Some medicines can be harmful to ingest after their expiration date, so be sure to only use medicine that is within the recommended dates.

Bandages

Bandages, both adhesive and otherwise, are prone to expire. Over time, most adhesive bandages lose their adhesiveness and are rendered useless. Bandages can also lose their sterility over time, making them unsafe for use.

Sterile Wipes and Cleaning Supplies

Wipes and other sterile wound cleaning supplies that have expired can often lose their sterility. They can also dry out, making them completely useless in an emergency.

Gloves

Many types of gloves can degrade over time, meaning that they are unable to protect the user and injured person from pathogen transference.

If you would like to learn more about why first aid kits expire, or if you have any other questions about first aid kits and safety supplies, please contact EFAS at 604-294-EFAS or toll free at 1-833-294-EFAS or by filling out a contact form on their website so that they can answer all of your questions and help you to get the safety products you require.