A useful cabinet is small. The temptation is to buy widely and end up with six half-used boxes that all expired in the same forgotten year.

The short list

Paracetamol and ibuprofen, a digital thermometer, oral rehydration salts, antihistamines, plasters and a roll of tape, antiseptic, and at least a month of any prescription you take daily. That covers the overwhelming majority of household situations.

Write the opening date on anything liquid. Most syrups and drops are good for weeks after opening rather than the years printed on the box.

Check the whole cabinet twice a year on a date you already remember, and take anything expired to a pharmacy rather than a bin.