The Galveston County Daily News

Although medical care was available on the island after Hurricane Ike, it was hard to get to.

For major emergencies, a trip to an emergency room or an urgent care center is necessary. But if you plan to ride out a storm, prepare to take care of cuts, scrapes and bruises on your own.

You can buy a good first-aid kit from almost any store that sells camping or outdoor supplies, but it’s also easy to make your own.

Here’s a list of essential items:

• Hydrogen peroxide

• Rubbing alcohol

• Anti-bacterial ointment

• Hydrocortisone ointment

• Foot powder

• Antiseptic wipes

• Cotton pads

• Sterile gauze pads

• Adhesive bandages

• Medical tape

• One ace bandage

• Aspirin or other over-the-counter pain medicine

• Instant cold compress

• Eye wash solution

• Tissues

• Non-latex gloves

• Scissors

• Tweezers

• Insect repellent

• Sun screen

• Aloe vera