Keeping Kids Safe from Medications

There are so many things that we try and shield our children from these days.  Bad movies, poor relationships choices, internet scams and unhealthy food are just a few of those things attacking kids.  However, one place people may forget to look is in their own home, on their bedside table or in their cabinet. 

Every day children have at their fingertips very harmful products that can harm them.  Over-the-counter and prescription drugs are so prevalent in homes today it can be difficult to remember that children do not know what these drugs are for and not to use them.  Younger children particularly can ingest a medication by simply mistaking it for something else.  They can easily mistake a colorful pill for a piece of candy. 

Older kids can be accustomed to seeing their parents or other older family members take different kinds of medication, but not be fully aware of the effects of the drugs.  They may be tempted to try out a medication to see what affect it may have, or even be persuaded by another friend to get some of the drugs to bring to them.  The reasoning may be different for the older child, but the same horrible outcome can affect the younger or older child if they take someone else’s medication.

Some important things to remember if keeping medications in the home are to keep them placed in a secure location, out of the sight and reach of children.  It may require a child proof locking being installed on a high cabinet door to keep younger children from having access. Or in some cases, certain strong or addictive type medications may need to be placed in a safe or other locked location to keep them unavailable to a teenager.  These steps can hopefully prevent a mistake which could affect the child and entire family.