happened to me last time I chose to take my temp, Lucille. I ended up buying a new digital one. Was easier to find. ;)

I also tossed the tube of neosporin at the same time, but did put in a replacement.

I haven't used a thermometer in decades. Well except for the dogs. I can tell if I have a fever by the "taste" for lack of a better word. I don't treat mild fevers changes since I feel it's nature's way of fighting off the bad bugs.

We always have basic aspirin and ibuprofen in the the house. I also have bonine, guaifenesin, and nasal vapor inhalers. The first is for vertigo, the second is for congestion whether it's my head, chest or ears (body doesn't discriminate) and the third is because I don't use OTC cold meds other than the guaifenesin when neccessary. We also have OTC heartburn relief and anti diarrheal on hand.

My first aid kit,a giant Tupperware bread keeper, is kept in the linen closet in the hall. It consists of dressings in various sizes, scissors, tweezers, vet tape ( I buy it in bulk so it's cheaper than the human version of wrap), finger splints, ace bandages and gauze wrap along with a tube of super glue, some iodine swabs and alcohol wipes. We have a ice bag and a hot pack next to the that in the linen closet. We keep neosporin, peroxide and a bottle of alcohol and bandaids in the linen tower next to the vanity. Medical gel packs are kept in the chest freezer.

I don't think they sell glass thermometers any more at the store. You might be able to find them on eBay. The vet was looking for some and I found them there for her.

I like them because they are more accurate. If I'm sick, I'll go the clinic and they'll tell me I don't have a fever when I know I do and I ask them to check again and sure enough, 99.9° or something like that. Since I run cold, 97.6 usually, 99.9 is considerable for me. That swipe across the forehead or thing in the ear is not accurate.

Seems like (in California, at least) some years ago, they called upon the public to turn in their glass....mercury...thermometers an replace with non-mercury ones. When we moved, like pencils and pens, mercury thermomentors appeared like rabbits, and I have several. Every time I clean out a bathroom drawer or first-aid (same as WC as it is a ancient tupperware bread box) kit, another one will appear. I think the idea of 'turning in mercury ones' was so that the mercury would not get into our environment, so now, how in the world does one dispose of them. (As kids, it was such fun to play with that substance until it just disappeared....and I have lived to tell you all about it!) BTW the old battery ones never did work....not sure about those newer ones, but I don't use one anymore)

I have two glass thermometers (one for the humans and one for the dogs). The dogs had their own first aid kit that included their thermometer (we did not want to mix up their thermometer with the humans thermometer so I also wrote "dog" on it in permanent marker), a jar of vaseline (for the thermometer), styptic powder, pepto, tweezers (once removed a bee stinger from a tongue using those), a pair of pliers, a tick removal tool, charcoal to induce vomiting, neosporin salve, q-tips, gauze and sterile pads.

The humans have band aids, sterile pads, gauze, first aid tape, an ace bandage, neosporin, q-tips, tweezers, a tick removal tool, thermometer, alcohol wipes and anti-itch cream in their first aid kit. The kit is an old toolbox that is on the small side.

Found a glass thermometer on Ebay. Am not coming down with anything, woke up feeling very chipper, so it must have been all that garage stuff.

You guys are great!

When I recently cut my finger with a new sharp knife, I bandaged it with a paper towel and masking tape - and I work in an ED/trauma center.

May I suggest adding aspirin (not just acetaminophen or ibuprofen) to take in case of heart attack symotoms. Dramatically decreases mortality.

Also, diphenhydramine/Benadryl to treat allergic reactions.

If you want to really expand your kit, topical hemostatic dressings (e.g., quik clot) are now available without a prescription, and work well to control moderate bleeding.

There is also a national "stop the bleed" campaign encouraging civilian use of tourniquets on extremity wounds if direct firm, steady pressure is not stopping the bleeding.