Check expiry dates in home first aid kits and dispose safely

A clinical waste expert is urging people to check expiry dates in their home first aid kits, warning that expired items can be unsafe to use and harmful to the environment if disposed of improperly. Graham Matthews, a clinical waste collection expert at Business Waste, said most people only think about their first aid kit when something goes wrong, but by then it is too late to realise these items have expired.

First aid kits often sit unused for long periods, and some contents are sterile and lose effectiveness over time. Items that commonly carry expiry dates include plasters, bandages, wound dressings, antiseptic wipes, and disposable gloves. When these products pass their shelf life they may no longer provide protection: adhesives can fail, dressings may not protect wounds, and antiseptic wipes can dry out, increasing the risk of infection.

To check whether an item is still usable, consult the product label, which typically displays an expiry date often accompanied by a small timer symbol. If no date is visible, Matthews recommended contacting the manufacturer to verify shelf life or using professional judgement about whether an item appears intact and sterile. He also...