1. Store medicine in a locked cabinet
The safest place to store medicine is out of the sight and reach of children. This can be a high cabinet or a closet, and it should be locked at all times.
2. Use Child-Resistant Packaging for added security
If you have children in your house, all medicine containers should have Child-Resistant Packaging. However, medicine should still be stored in a locked location, such as a high cabinet or closet.
3. Don't rely on child-resistant packaging alone
Bear in mind that child-resistant doesn't mean childproof. This means that a determined child may find a way to open even the most secure bottle caps.
4. Keep medicine in its original container
Don't switch containers for pills and liquids, otherwise they could be mistaken for something else. Also, do not use a medicine if the container doesn't have a label or the label isn't legible.
5. Take medicine with you if you're called away
If you get called to the phone or front door while you're administering medicine to yourself or your child, don't leave the container behind where your child could get a hold of it.
6. Replace lids and return medicine to its storage place
It may be tempting to leave medicine out if you're going to take another dose again soon. But children act quickly, so even medicine left out for a moment can be dangerous.
7. Carefully discard medicine
Expired medicine shouldn't be thrown into a household garbage can where your child could easily get it. Instead, check with your pharmacist for a local collection program. If you must throw out the medicine, keep it in its container and double-bag it.
8. Do not refer to medicine as candy
Getting your child to take his medicine by making him think it's candy can be very dangerous because most children will seek out candy. It is safer to help your child understand that medicine is medicine by calling it by its proper name. Remember - A bottle of coated pills can look like candy to a young child. So, you should remove medicine from grocery bags before your child starts investigating the bags.
9. Be careful of purses and bags
Remember to keep your purse and diaper bag out of your child's reach. Also, be careful about guests' purses, overnight bags, and suitcases, because they may contain medicine. A bottle of coated pills can look like candy to a young child. So, you should remove medicine from grocery bags before your child starts investigating the bags.
10. Supervise your child carefully
The most thorough way to protect your child from getting into medicine is to always supervise him. This is especially important when visiting a friend or relative, who may have left unlocked medicine around the house.
