When it comes to winter, you’ll naturally want to go out of your way and refresh your kitchen cabinet. The problem is that colds and flus can really take you down and, without the right medication on stand-by, you can be caught out. Here’s a quick guide for what to do before you next head to http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/ to stock up.

Discard expired medications – do not throw or flush them down the toilet. Also, ensure that you have checked all your items to ensure none of them are broken; this includes things like old mercury thermometers, which can be very dangerous and may cause serious harm to a child.

Restock the cabinet with over-the-counter medicines for cold and flu things in particular, and then add other things such as antihistamines, anti-itch creams, sunscreen for snow and the following summer, as well as aspirin, paracetamol and other pain tablets. Specifically tailor it to meet the needs of the family and if there are children around, keep the more serious things out of reach or securely bottled and locked away.

Finally, be sure to stock items that are available for minor injuries. First aid kits should contain all basic items including bandages, cotton, alcohol swabs, antiseptic cream, gauze, tape and scissors.