Safe Medication Storage: Protecting Your Family in Ireland
Keeping your family safe is a top priority for you, and so it matters to us, too. We know that accidents happen but prevention is always better than cure and medication storage is a potential hazard that is commonly overlooked when child-proofing the home. Over-the-counter medications and those on prescription can cause harm and even fatalities if they are ingested by children or animals, so it is very important to protect your loved ones by storing medications safely and appropriately.
Here at Gray’s Pharmacy, we are committed to providing great healthcare and support to families in our local community, and this includes sharing safety information to protect your family. We will always have time to talk with you about any healthcare questions you may have, including recommending medications, and we can advise you about how to store your prescriptions and over-the-counter medication safely.
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The risks of unsafe storage for your medication
It is difficult to protect your family from every potential harm, but some are easier to control than others and storing your medication carefully is an area in which you can set yourself up to succeed. Putting some simple measures in place can help to protect your children and your pets, and we will share our recommendations and top tips. If you do not store medications correctly, you may risk the following:
- Accidental ingestion. Children are naturally curious, and some medications look and smell like sweet treats, so it is not surprising that many children accidentally ingest medicines in Ireland each year. The same is true for pets, and even small amounts of some medications can cause serious health issues in humans and animals, ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening conditions.
- Risk of overdose. If your children or your pets are left unattended and able to access medication, they can overdose, particularly since they are likely to be smaller and lighter than the intended recipient of the medication, meaning that they need to ingest much less of it to overdose. Problems caused by overdosing on medication can range from mild nausea and dizziness to seizures and respiratory distress.
- Potential poisoning. Some medications, including pain relievers and some vitamins, are toxic to both children and pets and if these are accessible, poisoning may occur. Poisoning with household chemicals and items such as antifreeze is also a fairly common accident involving small children and pets in Ireland.
Storing medication safely: Our top tips
Fortunately, it is easy to eliminate the risk of accidental overdose, poisoning and ingestion of medications by storing them correctly. Whether you are at home or travelling, putting some simple systems in place to protect your children and pets from your medication is an easy way to keep them safe. We suggest that you:
- Use child-resistant packaging. When you select your over-the-counter medication, you will often have the option to purchase it in child-resistant packaging. This provides a certain level of protection since it is harder for children to access your medicines, but it is important to be aware that this packaging is not foolproof and children can often get into it more effectively than their parents!
- Use a lockable cupboard or drawer. Medications should always be kept in a locked cupboard or drawer, and the key or access code kept secure. You might use a lockable cupboard or drawer in your kitchen or bathroom, or you could install a lock or a latch on an existing cupboard or drawer.
- Separate medications. It can be helpful to keep medications for adults and children separate, to prevent confusion and reduce the risk of a child accidentally taking the wrong medication. Separating medications can make it easier to manage and monitor when and how they are accessed, although they should still be kept in lockable storage.
- Use a secure pill organiser. If you are taking regular medications, you may find a pill organiser handy. Lockable or secure pill organisers provide extra protection to ensure that your medication is safe, as they can be securely closed and stored out of reach. You can talk to your pharmacist about pill organising options and we can recommend the best solutions for you and your lifestyle.
- Dispose of old medications. When you have finished taking a medication or it is out of date, you should dispose of it safely rather than leaving it in your medicine box. You can check your medications regularly to ensure they are all up-to-date, and be aware that many pharmacies will take your old medications and dispose of them safely. You should never flush medication down the toilet as it can cause problems in the water system.
- Educate your family. It is crucial to ensure that everyone in the household, including older children, understands the importance of not sharing or taking medications without proper supervision. It is helpful to teach them about the potential dangers and consequences of taking medication that is not intended for them and this can be life-saving for themselves and others.
- Don’t forget pet medications. Medications for pets can be toxic to humans and many people do not consider this or think about the importance of storing them safely. Pet medications should be stored securely, out of reach of children and animals, and only administered according to the instructions given by your veterinarian. Do not forget to dispose of medications that are no longer required for your pets as these could cause a danger to your children and pets if they are still accessible.
- Emergency information. Following these instructions should prevent your children and pets from accessing your medication, but it is essential to have emergency contact information available at all times just in case. You should have emergency contact details for your doctor or local hospital, your veterinarian and specialist services displayed prominently in your home or stored in your phone. The Poisons Information Centre of Ireland is an excellent service and the best place to find up-to-date information and advice in a poisoning emergency.
- Travel safely with medications. When you are travelling or out for the day, you should ensure that your medications are stored securely, especially if you have pets or children with you. If you are flying, you can usually keep your medications in your hand luggage, ensuring that it is in the original packaging for security purposes. You can also use a portable lockable medication carrier to ensure that your medications are stored safely, wherever you are.
- Check medication storage regularly. As your children grow, you may find that you need to adapt your medication storage systems to keep them safe. You should check any medication storage areas regularly to ensure that they are still safe and secure and that your children and pets cannot access them.
These tips also apply to household chemicals, including cleaning and laundry products, which can also pose a risk to children and pets. All potentially toxic chemicals should be stored in their original containers – preferably with safety caps – in a cupboard or drawer where your child cannot reach them. You should ensure that labels remain on chemicals and medications so that you always have the correct information to hand when needed.
In Case of Emergency
If you think your child or someone else has taken medication or been poisoned, you should seek medical advice immediately. You can call (01) 809 2166 (8 am-10 pm daily) to speak to a specialist in poisons information, or contact your doctor or hospital or call 999 or 112.
If a poison has been ingested, do not attempt to make the person vomit and do not give them anything to eat or drink unless healthcare staff recommend this. If you attend a hospital or surgery, take the container of the medication or substance that has been ingested with you to ensure effective treatment is given as soon as possible.
Poisons may also cause a medical emergency if they are splashed onto the skin into the eyes, or inhaled. In these circumstances, it is very important to avoid coming into contact with the poison yourself while you are giving first aid assistance. You should seek immediate medical assistance and use only water to try to remove substances from the skin or eyes.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from your pharmacy
Our friendly, experienced team can help you find the medications you need from our over-the-counter range, and we offer prescription services if you have been prescribed medication by your doctor. We can help you to set up safe storage systems for your medications and we can make recommendations that help to keep your family safe.
Here at Gray’s Pharmacy, we stock a wide range of multivitamins and supplements to support your health and we offer a large selection of healthcare products, as well as skincare and beauty ranges for all the family. You can discuss any health concerns you may have with our experienced pharmacists and explore our full range of health care and beauty products online or in-store.
