Like face masks and thermometers, first aid kits are in high demand right now. With coronavirus in full swing, people are looking to protect themselves in a myriad of ways, and investing in a first aid kit for your (and your family’s) needs can give you some peace of mind during these uncertain times. It can also help you avoid a trip to the drugstore or a visit to an urgent-care doctor for minor issues while the healthcare system is overwhelmed.

According to the World Health Organization, a medical kit should at the very least include “basic medicines to treat common ailments, first aid articles, and any other special medical items.” Think antiseptic wound cleanser, bandages, sterile dressings, insect bite treatment, antihistamine tablets, and more; see their list here. Additional items, like medication for preexisting medical conditions, vary per person.

Although first aid kits are function first, that doesn’t mean design has to take a backseat. In recent years, companies have taken it upon themselves to make “boring” household essentials—from bandages to cleaning supplies to first aid kits—feel fresh and fun and exciting to own and use. One startup brand that stands out is Judy, which makes a just-in-case emergency-kit that helps prepare you for the unexpected. Its bright orange color and user-friendly design is as functional as it is appealing to the eye.

“Over the last decade, we’ve witnessed friends and family deal with emergencies across the country. From floods in Florida to storm surges along the coast to fires destroying years of memories, the resulting anguish, anxiety, and vulnerability are a shared traumatic experience—and we wanted to find a way to help,” Simon Huck founder and CEO of Judy, tells Glamour.

After consulting with preparedness experts and emergency first responders for months, Huck and his team devised four kinds of kits, each uniquely tailored to address household safety needs. From The Starter fanny pack to the fully stocked The Safe, each kit is equipped with multipurpose essentials—think individually packaged tools; medical supplies for bumps, bruises, or burns; food; water; and worksheets that make it easy to create a personalized safety plan. (And while the brand doesn’t have a kit specifically designed for the coronavirus, The Safe, The Mover, and The Mover Max contain dust masks that are included in the CDC recommendation. Plus, the brand addressed coronavirus preparedness in this Instagram post that went up on their feed before social distancing went into effect.)

But buying an emergency kit doesn’t immediately keep you safe. It’s knowing how to use what’s inside that makes all the difference—and that’s what the brand says separates its kits from others on the market. “Judy is the first digitally-connected emergency kit, supported by the tools and resources to use the supplies effectively,” Huck says. There is also a text-based program you can opt into to ask questions of experts and get answers in real time. (FYI: You don’t have to be a Judy customer to enroll in this program.)

It’s worth mentioning too that at a time when many fashion and beauty companies have either pivoted production to make face masks or sanitizer or are donating a portion of their proceeds for COVID-19 relief, Huck says it’s lending support to the front-line workers—from a donation of 25,000 N95 masks to the New York State Department of Health to an upcoming donation of 1,000 N95 masks to the NYPD officers patrolling the city’s streets.

Where to buy a first aid kit

Aside from Judy, there are plenty of other retailers with first aid kits still in stock. Before adding to cart, make sure you’re buying the right kit for your needs—be it a compact emergency kit for one or a family-size option. It’s important to read the content specs since not all kits are built the same. Some may contain gloves and hand sanitizer but may not have masks or other supplies you need—so always double-check that what you’re buying is right for you.

• Protect Life First Aid Kit (includes one dust mask) $27 on Amazon
• HART Health Extended First Aid Kit, $55 on REI
• Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose Portable Compact First Aid Kit, $13 on Target
• Swiss Safe First Aid Kit, $40 on Amazon
• Equate All-Purpose First Aid Kit, $10 on Walmart

As news about the novel coronavirus pandemic rapidly evolves, Glamour is committed to bringing our readers the most accurate and up-to-date facts. As a result, information in this story and others like it may change, and we will update when necessary. For the most recent news about COVID-19, please visit the CDC, WHO, and your state’s Department of Health.

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