Julie Groves Board Member | Official Website
Julie Groves Board Member | Official Website
Every year, about 35,000 young children end up in emergency rooms after accidentally ingesting medicine left within their reach, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This highlights a pressing concern for medication safety among parents and caregivers. Over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements, especially in gummy form, can be harmful if consumed incorrectly.
Children may mistakenly think medications are harmless. Stetson Potrykus, a pharmacy resident at Aspirus, emphasizes the need to keep these items out of children's reach. “Medications and supplements should always be stored safely because children may think they’re candy, which can lead to accidental ingestion,” Potrykus states.
To help prevent accidental poisonings, Aspirus Health and the CDC offer several key medication safety measures. They advise storing medicines, vitamins, and supplements out of sight and reach, preferably in a high cabinet or a locked area, even between doses. Loose pills, medicine patches, creams, ointments, or liquid medicines should not be left on counters, tables, or nightstands, as children can access them quickly.
Child-resistant containers should be used, with safety caps relocked after use. Medication should be kept in places like purses, bags, pockets, or organizers where children cannot reach them. It is important to teach children about medicine safety, never calling it "candy," and ensuring that only adults administer it. Guests should also be reminded to store their medications securely when visiting homes with young children.
Potrykus further cautions, “When you're prescribed medications, the specific dose and strength are for you. If ingested by children, it may cause dangerous side effects.”
In the event of accidental ingestion, immediate action is required. Calling the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222 provides free, around-the-clock expert guidance.
Aspirus Health urges families to secure medications proactively and spread awareness about safe storage practices. Implementing a few precautionary measures can significantly help in protecting children from accidental poisoning.
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