Before leaving home for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, it's important to have a first aid kit ready for minor health issues that may occur. Make sure to also visit a physician before you travel to identify any health issues.

For your first aid supplies, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) recommends the following items:

For any emergencies that occur or complex medical problems, contact a highly rated doctor.

• Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin — The basic medicines to relieve headaches, pain, fever, and simple sprains or strains of the body.

• Antihistamines — Carry this in case you suffer from allergies or need to curtail inflammation.

• Motion sickness medication — Enjoy the ride when you travel by preparing beforehand.

• Bandages — Bring assorted sizes to cover minor cuts and scrapes.

• Bandage closures — Use these to tape the edges of minor cuts together.

• Triangular bandage — Wrap injuries and make an arm sling if injuries occur.

• Elastic wraps — Ease wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries with these wraps.

• Gauze and adhesive pads — In case of larger cuts or scraps, take these along for treatment.

Adhesive tape — Bring this along to keep gauze in place.

• Scissors — Useful if you need to cut tape, gauze or clothes.

• Safety Pins — Keep splints and bandages fastened.

• Antiseptic wipes — Take this with you to disinfect wounds or clean hands, tweezers, scissors, and thermometers.

• Antibiotic ointment — The necessary product to prevent infection in burns, cuts, and scrapes.

• Hydrogen peroxide — Keep this on hand to disinfect and clean cuts and wounds.

• Cold packs — Soothe any injuries or burns.

• Tweezers — Bring along to remove small splinters, foreign objects, bee stingers, and ticks from the skin.

• Rubber gloves — Protect your hands when treating wounds.

• Thermometer — Make sure you can take your temperature to ensure you don’t have a fever.

• Calamine lotion — Itching and irritation from insect bites, stings and poison ivy can ruin a getaway. Bring this along for quick relief.

• Hydrocortisone cream — Help relieve irritation from rashes.

• Sunscreen — Bring SPF 15 or higher to prevent potential burns.

• Insect repellent — No one wants to be pestered by creepy crawlers on vacation. Keep them away with this spray.