Do First Aid Kits Expire? Maintenance & Restocking Guide
4 min reading time
When it comes to first aid, keeping your kit up to date is just as important as having one in the first place. Many people ask if first aid kits expire — and the answer is a little more detailed than yes or no. The kit itself doesn’t go out of date, but many of the individual items inside it do.
Do first aid kits expire?
A first aid kit bag or box does not have an expiry date. However, the contents often do. Sterility, effectiveness, and safety of items reduce over time. Using expired products can risk infections, allergic reactions, or simply being ineffective in an emergency.
Which items have expiry dates?
The most common first aid supplies that expire include:
Plasters and bandages – adhesives can fail, and packaging sterility may be lost.
Sterile dressings – must remain sealed and sterile.
Eye wash solutions – have strict expiry dates for sterility.
Burn gel / creams – active ingredients may degrade.
CPR masks / valves – seals can weaken, reducing safety.
How often should you check a first aid kit?
The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) advises checking kits regularly to ensure contents are complete and within expiry. For most workplaces, a quarterly check is a good standard. For home or travel kits, twice a year is usually enough.
Alongside expiry dates, UK law also expects employers to provide an adequate number of kits — see our guide on workplace first aid compliance.
Tips for checking your kit:
Look at expiry dates and replace anything out of date.
Replace packaging that looks damaged, torn, or unsealed.
Top up any items you’ve already used.
Keep a simple checklist taped inside the kit for easy reference.
How to restock your first aid kit
When you notice items missing or expired, restock immediately. You can:
Buy first aid kit refill packs designed for BS 8599-1 kits.
The kit bag or box itself does not expire, but many contents do. Replace items by their printed expiry date to ensure sterility and effectiveness.
Which items have expiry dates?
Common examples include plasters and bandages (adhesive and packaging), sterile dressings, alcohol or antiseptic wipes, eye wash, burn gel, and CPR masks/valves.
How often should you check a first aid kit?
For workplaces, a quarterly check is a good standard. For home or travel kits, check at least twice per year and after every use.
Can I use an expired bandage?
If the packaging is intact it may still function, but sterility is no longer guaranteed. For safety and compliance, replace with in-date supplies.
Do workplace first aid kits have to be in date?
Yes. Employers are responsible for maintaining complete, in-date contents in line with HSE expectations and internal risk assessments.
How often should a first aid kit be restocked?
Restock immediately after use and during your scheduled checks. Consider using refill packs to replace expired or missing items efficiently.
What happens if I don’t replace expired items?
Items may fail when needed and sterility cannot be assured. In workplaces this can also risk non-compliance with internal procedures.
