- Store all medications in a cupboard or high shelf, well out of a child’s sight. In about half of over-the-counter medication poisonings, the child climbed onto a chair, toy or other object to reach the medication.
- Keep medicines in their original containers, with child-safety caps.
- If there are controlled substances (like prescription pain medications or ADHD medicine) consider using a locked box for extra safety.
- Keep track of how many pills are in the bottle and write the start date on the label. This way, if a spill occurs, you’ll know if any are missing.
- When giving your child medicine, lean over a counter or table. This helps contain any accidental spills.
- Any medication can be dangerous, so treat all products with the same respect. We worry about opioids, but some blood pressure and diabetes medications can be fatal to a toddler who swallows only one pill.
- If a medication spills, vacuum or sweep the area as an extra precaution to ensure nothing is missed.
- Dispose of unused medications—especially opioids—at pharmacies, drug “take back” programs or doctors’ offices
- Know basic first aid and keep the Poison Center Number (800-222-1222) stored in your phone.
- Get into the practice of safe medication storage, starting as soon as your baby is born.
Source: Read Full Article