During school holidays, parents across the country breathe a collective sigh of relief at the prospect of no more mid-week sleepovers and fewer glue-and-macaroni spills on the lounge-room floor.  As kids return to school, they often come home with things you’d rather keep out of the house: lurgies, jumping things, gravelly scabs and strange artworks made from feathers and pipe-cleaners. Which is why this is the perfect time of year to give your medicine cabinet an overhaul. Here’s how:

First, cull

Go through the cabinet and chuck out anything that’s past its expiry date: medicines, creams and sunscreens.

Then, replenish

Stock up on essentials, such as:

1. Bandaids, gauze and medical tape – because your child will ALWAYS come home with bumps, scrapes and scabs.
2. Antiseptic – to clean and sterilise said bumps and scrapes.
3. Over-the-counter pain relief, such as Children’s Panadol, soluble Aspirin or a liquid paracetamol – for headaches, toothaches, tummy aches, pretty-much-everything aches.
4. Electrolytes – there’s no avoiding a vomiting epidemic. While the causes can be anything ranging from food poisoning to gastro, it’s best to let your child ride it out (but take them to your GP if symptoms persist). Electrolytes are great for rehydration, and are usually quite palatable for fussy kids.
5. Lice shampoo and a steel-toothed comb – much like vomiting, you’re doing well if you avoid a plague of nits. Keep nit treatment on hand and be prepared to treat EVERYONE in the family – even mum and dad.
6. Antihistamine – if your kids are prone to itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing fits or the odd strange allergic reaction, an antihistamine in liquid form and/or nasal spray or liquid drops are great to have on hand.
7. A spray for bites and stings – bees and wasps are rife during the summer months.
8. 50+ sunscreen – for obvious reasons!
9. Aloe vera – for when you miss a spot with the sunscreen.
10. Along with tweezers, a thermometer and cotton pads.

Be prepared to treat everybody in the family if head lice comes home from school!

When you’ve restocked? Organise

Invest in some small tubs or trays to keep in your bathroom or laundry cabinet, categorise your supplies into pain relief, wound care, and burns and bites and then label them. You want to be able to grab what you need, when you need it! And be sure to keep painkillers and antibiotics out of reach of your kids.

Make a stocked, well-organised medicine cabinet part of your household this year.

If you’re worried about your kid’s health, see your doctor.