How to Store Your Family's Medications

March 19-25^th was National Poison Prevention Week. Poisoning is the number one cause of injury-related death in the United States.

According to the CDC, 82 percent of American adults take at least one medication, and almost one third of Americans take five or more. Unfortunately, each year there are 700,000 ER visits and 120,000 hospitalizations due to adverse drug events… many of which are completely preventable through careful use.

At FamilyWize, we spend most of our time thinking about how families purchase and use their medications because we want you to stay healthy. We ask you to please read through these tips and take the necessary steps to protect your family.

How to Safely Store Your Family’s Medications

Store Up, Away, and Out of Sight
Store all medications up and away from children. Be careful not to leave your next dose out on a counter or table. Never leave any medication on a table or counter when you leave the room, even just for a minute.

Use the Original Container
Keep all medications in their original containers with the child safety cap completely and evenly closed at all times.

Monitor Use Turn on the light each time you give or take a medication to make sure you administer the correct dose. Track or write down each dose to avoid skipping doses or accidently double dosing. Pay particular attention to prescription painkillers and/or medications prescribed for the treatment of conditions like attention deficit disorder (e.g. ADD, ADHD), etc., which can be easier to abuse than other medications.

Practice Safe Disposal Unused medications should be disposed of as quickly as possible to prevent unintentional ingestion or misuse. Avoid throwing prescriptions into the trash or flushing them down the toilet. Community disposal events are a much safer and more environmentally friendly option (read the FDA’s recommendations here).
Your family’s health and safety is important. For more information about Poison Prevention Week, please visit this webpage.