Is Your Family’s First Aid and Emergency Kit Ready for Christmas and New Year?

Ensure your home is prepared for the festive season with a fully stocked first aid and emergency kit. 

Practical Christmas and New Year safety tips to keep your family protected and worry-free.

The festive season should be a time of joy, calm, and celebration – not a time spent rummaging through half-empty plaster boxes and expired antiseptic wipes. 

Yet every year, A&E departments see a surge in completely preventable Christmas mishaps: cuts from hurried wrapping, minor burns from cooking, slips on icy pavements, and strains from lifting heavy boxes of decorations.

Making sure your household has a fully stocked, up-to-date first aid and emergency kit is one of the simplest ways to keep everyone safe and confident over the holidays. Think of it as festive peace of mind in a box.

Why Christmas Needs Extra Preparedness

More cooking, more candles, more chaos

From turkeys to trifles, your kitchen is working overtime. Hot trays, sharp knives, boiling pans – they all increase the risk of small accidents.

More visitors, including children and older relatives

When you’re hosting, it helps to have supplies ready for bumps, falls, and unexpected sniffles.

Winter conditions

Ice, cold snaps, and seasonal viruses mean a well-equipped kit is more important than ever.

Reduced pharmacy and GP opening hours

Bank holidays can make it harder to pick up last-minute essentials. Better to have them in advance.

What Should Your Festive First Aid Kit Include?

Here’s a reliable list you can use to stock (or restock) your home kit in time for the big day:

Essentials

Assorted plasters

Sterile gauze pads and adhesive dressing tape

Antiseptic wipes or spray

Disposable gloves

Tweezers and small scissors

Digital thermometer

Pain relief suitable for your family (paracetamol, ibuprofen, children’s formulations if needed)

Cold/ice packs

Burn gel or burn dressings

Crepe or elastic bandages for sprains

Eye wash pods or sterile saline

Winter and Festive Add-Ons

Rehydration salts (particularly useful after winter illnesses)

Decongestants or cold/flu remedies

Lip balm and skin balm for winter dryness

Hand sanitiser

Heat pads

Small torch and spare batteries

A charged power bank for phones

For Households with Children

Child-safe plasters with hypoallergenic adhesive

Infant thermometer

Age-appropriate cold remedies

Bite/sting cream in case of body-heat-seeking winter insects (they still appear!)

Don’t Forget Your Home Emergency Supplies

Christmas storms, power cuts, and icy spells occasionally disrupt plans. Alongside your first aid kit, it’s wise to have:

Bottled water

Long-life snacks

Foil blankets

A battery-powered radio

Candles and matches (used safely, in stable holders)

A list of important phone numbers

A small folder with any essential medical information

How to Keep Your Kit Festive-Season Ready

Check expiry dates now

Painkillers, antiseptic creams, burn gels, and saline solutions all expire.

Make your kit easy to find

Store it somewhere central and known to every adult in the house. Also, keep it away from sources of direct heat.

Create a mini-kit for guests

A small pouch with painkillers, plasters, and wipes is ideal when you’ve got visitors staying over.

Restock on Boxing Day or before New Year

The shops reopen – take five minutes to replenish anything you’ve used.

A Small Job That Makes a Big Difference

Ensuring your home has a complete, up-to-date first aid and emergency kit is one of the simplest Christmas safety steps you can take. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does give you peace of mind – especially when the kettle is boiling, the children are crafting, the oven is full, and your home is filled with laughter and activity.

This Christmas and New Year, give your family the gift of preparedness. It’s one present you’ll hopefully never need – but will be immensely grateful for if you do.

Animed: The One-Stop Pet Shop for Christmas and Beyond

When we’re busy preparing for Christmas, gifts, food, decorations, and all the festive trimmings, it’s easy to forget that our pets deserve a little seasonal magic too. 

Whether you share your home with a loyal dog, a curious cat, an exotic bird, a small furry friend, or even a horse, finding everything you need in one place can be a challenge.

That’s where Animed steps in. As one of the UK’s leading online pet retailers, Animed makes Christmas shopping for your pets simple, affordable and stress-free.

Here’s why it has become a firm favourite for households across Britain,  and why it’s the perfect one-stop shop for your animals this Christmas and well into the new year.

A Store That Truly Caters to Every Kind of Pet

Most pet shops focus solely on dogs and cats, but Animed goes far wider than that. Their website makes it clear that they take all animals seriously, with dedicated sections for:

Dogs – from treats and toys to beds, grooming tools and prescription products

Cats – including litter, food, supplements and enrichment toys

Small furries – rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and more

Birds & exotics – from parrots to reptiles, offering specialist feeds and supplements

Equine – a full range of nutritional, grooming and stable essentials

If your household resembles a small menagerie — or even if you just have one beloved pet — Animed gathers everything together in one easy-to-navigate place.

Christmas Shopping Made Easy

Animed’s festive selection makes it wonderfully simple to spoil your pets during the holidays. Their seasonal range typically includes:

Pet advent calendars

Christmas toys and festive-themed accessories

Stocking fillers for dogs, cats and small animals

Limited-edition treats and snacks

With Christmas often feeling hectic enough, it’s a relief to know you can tick your pets' gifts off the list with just a few clicks.

Great Value and Convenient Delivery

Christmas is an expensive time of year, so value for money matters. Animed regularly offers:

Competitive pricing on brand-name products

Multi-buy deals and discounts

Free delivery when you meet the minimum spend

A handy “Subscribe & Save” option so you never run out of essentials

It’s ideal for anyone who wants the convenience of online shopping without stretching the festive budget too far.

Reliable, Trusted and Vet-Approved

Animed isn’t just a retailer, it’s a registered veterinary-dispensing pharmacy. This means you can order prescription treatments (with valid paperwork), flea and worming products, supplements and more, all sourced from trusted UK suppliers.

With thousands of positive customer reviews, Animed has built a reputation for reliability, value and excellent service, exactly what pet-owners need when preparing for the busy season.

Perfect for Pets With Special Requirements

Many pets have specific dietary or health needs, especially during the winter months. Animed offers an excellent range of:

Hypoallergenic and grain-free foods

Joint-care and mobility supplements (ideal for older pets)

Calming remedies for animals nervous about visitors or fireworks

Winter horse-care products

Specialist feeds for parrots, reptiles and small furries

Whatever your pet’s unique requirements, chances are you’ll find the right product on Animed without having to shop around multiple sites.

A Time-Saver Throughout the Whole Year

While Animed shines at Christmas, it’s equally valuable once the festivities fade. For busy households juggling work, school, and the pets’ needs, having a single reliable source for everything:

Keeps spending predictable

Saves time and travel

Reduces last-minute dashes to physical shops. That often don't stock what you need for your pet.

Ensures pets never run out of food or essential medicines

A true one-stop shop in every sense.

Christmas is all about sharing joy, comfort and warmth with the ones we love, and our pets absolutely count. Animed makes it easier than ever to give them a magical festive season while also keeping them healthy, happy and well supplied throughout the year.

If you’re looking for a dependable, wide-ranging and great-value online pet shop this Christmas, Animed.co.uk is well worth a visit. 

Whether you’re shopping for a dog, a cat, a cheeky parrot, a small furry companion or a horse, everything you need is right there waiting at Animed. 

Incidentally, the humans behind That's Christmas 365 and related sites such as That's Food an Drink and That's Business actually have a cheeky parrot and a cheeky cat!

Ensuring Medication Preparedness During the Festive Season: A Guide for Everyone, Especially Vulnerable Individuals

As the festive season approaches, many of us look forward to celebrating Christmas and the New Year with family, friends, and loved ones. 

However, amidst the excitement and preparations, one crucial detail can easily be overlooked: ensuring you have enough vital medications to last through this busy period. 

For those who are particularly vulnerable—such as the elderly, people with chronic conditions, and those with mental health needs—this can be a matter of well-being and safety.

In the UK, the festive season often brings about disruptions in regular routines, including limited pharmacy opening hours and delayed GP appointments. 

In addition, the colder weather and increased social activity can exacerbate existing health conditions, making it more important than ever to be prepared. In this blog post, we'll outline why it's essential to check your medication supply now and offer some practical tips on how to stay ahead of any potential issues.

Why Planning Ahead is Crucial

Limited Pharmacy Availability

Pharmacies may operate on reduced hours or be closed entirely on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. This can make obtaining vital medications challenging if you’ve run out or forgotten to refill a prescription. While some pharmacies may provide emergency services, it's better to avoid the stress and uncertainty of relying on last-minute solutions.

GP Surgeries May Be Closed

With GP surgeries often closed for extended periods over the Christmas and New Year break, getting a prescription can be more difficult than usual. This is particularly concerning if you depend on medications that need regular renewal, such as those for diabetes, hypertension, asthma, or mental health conditions. Emergency services should not be relied upon for routine prescription renewals, so it’s crucial to plan ahead. 

Weather-Related Disruptions

Winter weather in the UK can be unpredictable, with snow, ice, and storms sometimes making travel difficult. For those living in rural or remote areas, getting to a pharmacy can be especially challenging. Having a sufficient supply of medications at home means you won’t need to venture out in hazardous conditions.

Who Needs to Be Especially Vigilant?

While everyone should make sure they have enough medications over the holiday period, some groups need to be especially vigilant:

Elderly Individuals

Age-related conditions, reduced mobility, and cognitive impairments can make it harder for older people to remember to reorder prescriptions. Family members or caregivers should step in to help ensure they have enough medication on hand.

People with Chronic Health Conditions

If you manage conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or asthma, having a supply of medications is essential to avoid exacerbations, which can be life-threatening.

Those with Mental Health Needs

For individuals relying on medications to manage mental health conditions, missing a dose or running out of a prescription can have severe effects on their well-being. The festive period can already be a challenging time for mental health, so ensuring medication continuity is critical.

Caregivers and Families

If you care for someone who is vulnerable, now is the time to check their medication levels. Being proactive can save a lot of stress and potential health complications over the holiday period.

Practical Steps to Ensure You’re Prepared

To avoid the rush and ensure you have everything you need, here are some practical steps to take:

Check Your Medication Supply Now

Go through all your medications, including any over-the-counter ones you rely on, and check expiry dates. If you’re running low on any prescription medicines, reorder them as soon as possible.

Speak to Your GP Early

If you need a repeat prescription, contact your GP surgery well in advance. It’s best to do this at least two weeks before Christmas to ensure you have enough time to pick up your medication or have it delivered.

Consider Home Delivery Services

Many pharmacies offer prescription delivery services, which can be especially helpful if mobility or transport is an issue. Check with your local pharmacy to see if they can arrange a delivery before Christmas. But be careful as some prescription delivery services are not as good as others.

Set Reminders

If you’re prone to forgetting to reorder your medications, set a reminder on your phone or mark it on your calendar. Additionally, ask a family member or friend to check in with you to ensure you’re fully stocked.

Stock Up on Non-Prescription Essentials

In addition to prescription medications, ensure you have a good supply of any over-the-counter items you may need, such as pain relievers, cold remedies, or supplements.

Know Where to Go for Emergencies

Make a note of the nearest pharmacies that will be open during the festive period and keep this information handy. The NHS 111 website is a reliable source for checking Christmas pharmacy hours in your area. https://111.nhs.uk. You can call them on your phone, too. And they do have an emergency prescription service. 

The Bottom Line

Christmas and New Year should be a time of joy and relaxation, not anxiety over running out of essential medications. Taking a few simple steps now can help you avoid unnecessary stress and ensure that you and your loved ones stay healthy throughout the festive season.

If you or someone you know might be particularly vulnerable, please take the time to check on them and offer assistance if needed. A little preparation can go a long way in ensuring everyone has a safe and happy Christmas and New Year break.

Wishing you all a healthy, safe, and joyful festive season!