Medications help us stay healthy, but can be dangerous in tiny, curious hands. Prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs come in colorful packaging that’s often attractive to children, so ensure they’re correctly stored to prevent any accidents. Here are some child-friendly tips for keeping medications in a home.

How to Keep Prescriptions Away from Children

1. Use Childproof Containers

Most pill and prescription bottles have safety caps to keep kids from getting into them, but some over-the-counter drugs come in foil sheets that are easy to access. If you have medications that aren’t childproof, consider transferring them to childproof bottles or keeping them in a locked container.

2. Teach Your Child

The most effective way to keep your children from eating something they shouldn't is to explain why it's dangerous as soon as they're old enough. Tell them that medicine can make them sick if they take it when they don't need it, and answer their questions to prevent accidents out of curiosity.

3. Keep Them Out of Reach

If you’re worried about your child getting to your medications, keep them out of reach on a high shelf or locked cupboard. Packaging can draw attention, so after you take your dose, store items away where your child can’t see them.

4. Keep Items Together

Storing medications in different places, such as bathrooms, glove boxes, and purses can result in you forgetting the items are there. To ensure all your pills are properly secured, try to keep them in one location, where you’ll always know they’re hidden from little ones.

5. Communicate with Your Guests

If you're hosting relatives or friends, talk to them about your rules for keeping medication secured. If they brought along pills or prescriptions, have them store the pills in your secured cabinet instead of leaving them in their luggage or drawers, where children can find them.

If you need a pharmacist to help you safely organize and store your medications at home, call Faris Pharmacy in Rochester, NY. For 45 years, this drug store has provided Monroe County with vaccinations, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, deliveries, and even in-home services to help families stay safe and healthy. Learn more about what they do online, or call (585) 663-6950 to make an appointment for a home visit.