Are You Prepared? St John Reminds Victorians to Keep First Aid Kits Up to Date on World First Aid Day
This World First Aid Day, St John Ambulance Victoria urged households, drivers, and workplaces to take a closer look at their first aid preparedness, with new research revealing that Victorians are among the least equipped in the country.
Despite most accidents happening at home, only 59% of Victorians have a first aid kit at home, the lowest rate of any state in Australia. While 39% keep a kit in the car, even fewer have one at work, where most adults spend most of their time.
The research found that nationally:
- 17% of Australians do not have access to a first aid kit at home, work, or in the car.
- 34% do not have a kit at home, the most common place for injuries.
- Only 28% of working Australians aged 18+ said they have one at work, despite about 65% of adults being employed in a workplace.
- 46% of car kits have not been checked in over a year.
With road deaths in Victoria rising 1.7% in the past year, and preventable injuries continuing to put pressure on emergency departments, St John Ambulance Victoria warns that being unprepared is a serious risk.
“When an emergency happens, it is too late to wish you had a first aid kit. In Victoria, we are seeing far too many families and workplaces caught unprepared. A kit is not just a box of bandages; it is peace of mind and a potential lifesaver,” said Gordon Botwright, CEO of St John Ambulance Victoria.
“This World First Aid Day, we wanted Victorians to open their cupboards, their glove boxes, and their office drawers, and ask themselves a simple question: if someone I love needed help right now, would I be ready?”
Community Comes Together for First Aid Awareness: Event Helps Families Get Prepared
On 13 September, St John Ambulance Victoria welcomed the community to Eastland for a fun and practical World First Aid Day event. Locals brought their kits for expert checks, picked up complimentary items, and joined interactive activities .
More importantly, the event served as a call to action for everyone: check your first aid kit, make sure you have one at home, in the car, and at work, and start a conversation about being prepared. This was just the beginning of helping Victorians be ready when it matters most.
Practical first aid kit check was provided by St John experts on the spot. You can check the video.
First Aid Kit Essential Guide
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Most of us have a First Aid Kit somewhere, whether at home or work. It’s our ‘insurance policy’ against disaster and provides most of what you could need in an emergency situation.
First Aid Kit Servicing
OH&S legislation requires workplaces ensure an appropriate number of kits are provided and remain adequately stocked. St John makes it easy for you to keep your First Aid kits stocked and compliant with current workplace guidelines.