More citizens are seeing the advantage to being prepared for emergency situations, reports the Mower County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Staff say they are receiving more inquiries about first aid kits, which they sell at their office.

“People are becoming more prepared,” said Penny Bartesch, health and safety coordinator. “They are realizing the reason behind being prepared. With the summertime months we are currently in, people are doing more sports-related events.”

Brigitte Campbell, executive assistant for the Red Cross, said kits are available for $15 (sports) and $25 (home and travel).

“We’re seeing a push — people wanting first aid kits,” she said. “We have a lot of people calling.”

Purchasing a first aid kit is preferred over assembling one yourself, Campbell recommended.

“You are going to save money in the long run,” she said. However, make sure to replenish your kit after using items, and throw bandages that have turned yellow.

The kits have become popular not just for home use, but for boats, carrying to games and giving as gifts for Christmas or graduation.

Bartesch said some recipients — particularly teenagers — might question the use for such a gift.

“When they go off to college, they realize how important a first aid case is,” she said.

A sports kit includes gauze, tape, antibiotic tablets, various sizes of bandages, scissors, tweezers, gloves, a cold pack, first aid instruction guide and other items. It is included in a zippered nylon bag.

The home and travel kit includes most of the same items as the sports kit, but also has a thermometer, bio-hazard bag and emergency blanket.

“If you need something outside here (the kit), you’re probably going to need to go to acute care,” Campbell said.

The Mower County Chapter of the American Red Cross also offers baby-sitting training and CPR/AED and first aid courses, in addition to organizing bloodmobile stops and disaster response.

More information about first aid kits, courses, donating blood or volunteering, call 437-4589 or visit their office at 305 Fourth Ave. N.W. The Red Cross is online at http://mowercounty.redcross.org.