“Don’t touch that.”
“Get down from there!”
“Do NOT put that in your mouth.”
Ah, life with kids is an adventure, isn’t it? No matter how closely you watch
them, when you turn your back for a second, they’ll usually find a way to get
into mischief.
All it takes is a moment …
A child is rushed to the hospital every ten minutes after getting into
medicines.1 Parents just like you thought they had taken every step
to keep medications out of their curious kids’ hands. But all it took was a
moment.
You can’t bubble wrap your kids to keep them safe, but whether you have curious
toddlers or experimenting teens, you can take steps to help ensure
dangerous medications are not easily accessible:
-
Aim high. Store all medicine out of children's reach such
as in a high cabinet. If you keep any medication in your purse, be sure to
keep that out of reach as well.
-
Lock it up. Consider storing prescription medicines in a
locked box or medicine cabinet.
-
Dispose of medications. Your pharmacist or local police
station can advise you on how to safely dispose of expired or unused
medications.
-
Think like a child. Take extra care with any medicine that
could be confused as food or candy, including cannabis edibles, gummy
vitamins, colorful pills, etc.
-
Don’t forget about visitors. Stash visitors purses, bags
and coats out of reach.
-
Put it away. Remember that “child resistant” caps do
not mean they are child proof.2 Tighten the caps and put
medicine away immediately after each use.
We all know that “out of sight, out of mind” isn’t enough. To keep your kids
safe, you need to talk to them – early and often. 3 We get
it, it’s not easy to reason with a two-year-old with the climbing skills of a
pint-sized Spiderman who just wants his Flintstones gummy vitamin. Do it anyway
and keep talking to him about the dangers of misusing
medications. Your kids should know that they are never to touch
or taste any medication that has not been handed to them by you – including
those Flintstones vitamins!
Teach them to be safe by practicing what you preach
Accidental ingestion isn’t the only danger when it comes to medications in the
home. The products you choose and how you dispense them are vital in ensuring
your children’s health and safety.
Just because a product is readily available over the counter (OTC), does not mean
it is harmless. In fact, acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol), one of the most common
medicines parents provide to their children, is one of the most overdosed and
can cause nausea, vomiting, liver failure and even death if not given
correctly.4
Treat OTC medications, including vitamins and supplements, as carefully as you
would a prescription:
-
Give the age-appropriate medicine. Not all medicines are
right for an infant and a child. Just because a formula is intended for an
infant does not mean it is less potent than the children’s or even adult’s
versions of the same medication. To allow for smaller does, the opposite may
in fact be true.
-
Check the ingredients. If you’re treating symptoms of an
illness with multiple medicines (such as a fever reducer and cold
medication), both could have the same active ingredient, leading to
accidental overdosing.
-
Read the label every time. Check how much to give and how
often.
-
Never use more than directed. Follow dosing instructions
exactly.
-
Use a dosing tool. Always use a measuring tool such as a
dropper or a dosing cup.
-
Tbsp. vs. tsp. A tablespoon (tbsp.) is three times more
than a teaspoon (tsp.) Double check the dosing instructions to ensure you
know whether to dispense a teaspoon or tablespoon. Kitchen spoons, while
frequently referred to as “teaspoons” and “tablespoons,” may in fact hold
incorrect amounts and should never be used to give medication.
-
Know your child’s weight. Some medicine are based on
weight. If a dose is not listed for your child’s age or weight, don’t guess
– call your doctor or pharmacist.
-
Check the medicine. Check the label to be sure you have the
right medicine and check the expiration date to ensure it is still
effective.
-
Save the number. Save the Poison Control help number
(1-800-222-1222) in your cell phone and keep it posted in
your home.9 You may never need it – and we hope you never do
– but you will be so glad you have it close it hand if you ever
do. 5,6,7,8
We’re here to help
If you have any questions about the risks or benefits of any medications your
children take or how to dispense them, talk to your local Health Mart pharmacist
– they are happy to help!
Health Mart. Caring for you and about you.
Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a
substitute for professional advice. You should always seek the advice of
your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or
concerns about a medical condition.
Sources:
-
CNN: “Some parents overlook dangers of medicines, sending thousands of
children to ER” . https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/14/health/medicine-poisonings-in-children-report/index.html
Last accessed: March 14, 2019
-
CBS This Morning: “Kids can open child-resistant pill bottles in seconds,
risk accidental poisoning” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/too-many-children-die-accidental-medicine-poisoning-safe-kids-worldwide-report/
Last accessed: March 14, 2019
-
Nurse.com: “Report: Child-proof drug packaging does not halt accidental
poisoning” https://www.nurse.com/blog/2018/03/30/report-says-child-proof-packaging-does-not-halt-accidental-poisoning/
Last accessed: March 14, 2019
-
FDA: “Reducing Fever in Children: Safe Use of Acetaminophen” https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm263989.htm
Last accessed: March 14, 2019.
-
CDC: “Tips For Parents about the safe use of over-the-counter (OTC)
medicine” https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/UnderstandingOver-the-CounterMedicines/TipsForParents/default.htm
Last accessed: March 14, 2019.
-
FDA: “Kids Aren't Just Small Adults -- Medicines, Children, and the Care
Every Child Deserves” https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm312776.htm
Last accessed: March 14, 2019
-
FDA: “Ten Tips to Prevent an Accidental Overdose” https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm253338.htm
Last accessed: March 14, 2019
-
Consumer Reports: “Protect Kids From Accidental Drug Overdoses” https://www.consumerreports.org/drug-safety/protect-kids-from-accidental-drug-overdoses/
Last accessed: March 14, 2019
-
Poison Control: “Poisoned? Two ways to get expert help.” https://www.poison.org/ Last
accessed: March 14, 2019.
Posted on Fri, March 1, 2019
by Health Mart