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Back to health libraryReviewed 5/9/2024
Childproof your medicine: How to keep medications away from kids
Medications are for healing. But in a child's hands, they can prove poisonous. Select a pill to learn about seven steps for keeping meds away from kids.
STORE:
Store all medicine (including items like vitamins, creams and hand sanitizer) in a place that is both out of reach and out of sight. Locked cabinets are the safest place.
KEEP:
Keep medicines in their original, child-resistant containers. Use a medication schedule to help you take the right dose at the right time.
REPLACE:
Put medicines back in their proper storage place right after you use them.
LISTEN:
Make sure to relock the safety cap on a medicine bottle after using it. Listen for the click.
TEACH:
Let kids know medicine isn't candy, and only you can give it out.
ASK:
Ask guests to put purses or coats containing medicine high and out of sight.
PREPARE:
Keep the Poison Control Center number (800.222.1222) in your cellphone.
Did you know?
Find out what often comes in pill bottles but should be tossed out.
Sources
- America's Poison Centers. "Who We Are." American Association of Poison Control Centers (poisoncenters.org).
- FamilyDoctor.org. "Child Safety: Keeping Family Medications Out of Reach." https://familydoctor.org/child-safety-keeping-medicines-out-of-reach/.
- Safe Kids Worldwide. "Medication Safety." https://www.safekids.org/medicinesafety.