Imagine that you see 4 school buses driving past you on the way home today. Imagine that those 4 buses are filled with children. Now imagine that those 4 busloads of kids are heading straight to the ER because every single one of them has accidentally ingested a medicine and they now need emergency medical care.
This happens every day in the US.
4 busloads of kids rushed to the ER for an accidental medicine ingestion.
Safely storing over-the-counter medicines, prescription medicines, and vitamins is vital to the safety of all children. And we must do it. Every single day. Every single time. Because we all know what happens “that one time” we forget or rush out the door thinking “I’ll do it later”.
Accidents happen.
So take a moment now; parents, grandparents, and caregivers…review these DOs and DON’Ts of safe medicine storage:
DO keep all medicines up, away, out of sight and reach every single day. Every time.
DON’T leave vitamins or daily medications on countertops for an easy visual reminder. Instead, see the infographic below for 4 simple ways to remind you without the added risk to children (hint: click on picture to see it larger)….
DO talk to your kids about the importance of not taking any medicine or vitamin without you and your approval. This is important for tweens and teens too. Discuss the dangers of OTC cough/cold medicine abuse.
DON’T call medicine or vitamins that your children have to take “candy”. Yes, sometimes kids need to be coaxed into taking medicines that they need, but we don’t want them seeking it out either! Counsel them on the dangers of taking medicines they don’t need.
DO a daily floor check; particularly if you have toddlers at home. No doubt a wayward pill dropped on the floor will inevitably find its way into your toddler’s hands…then mouth. Remember, they often inspect with their mouths first and ask questions later. And as you can see from the infographic below (again, click on it to enlarge), the floor is the #1 place kids find these medicines…
DON’T leave purses lying around for kids to investigate. As you can see, unattended purses containing medicines and vitamins rank #2 in where children get their hands on potentially toxic medications. So, moms, grandmas, sisters, friends, aunts, and cousins…keep them out of reach from little hands.
DO keep dressers, nightstands, and countertops free from pillboxes, OTC medicines, prescription medicines and/or vitamins. Kids will find them. Remember…Up and Away.
DON’T assume childproof caps will keep children out. It’s simply one layer of added protection. Many young children can open them relatively quickly. So yes, make sure those medicines are “clicked” shut but also keep them high and out of reach. Never allow children to use them as playthings (which I’ve seen parents do).
DO practice these same medicine safety tips while on vacation.
DO program the number for Poison Control into your phone. I know you’ve heard me say it before, so if you still haven’t done it…do it now! 1-800-222-1222
I encourage you to share these medicine safety tips with all your friends and family. Let’s work together to decrease the number of kids being sent to the ER on a daily basis for an accidental medicine ingestion.
Because 4 busloads is simply 4 too many.
Disclosure: I receive compensation for my participation in the CHPA educational foundation’s OTC Safety Ambassador program. However, the content and opinions in this post are my own.
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