- Be sure that medications are out reach of children or anyone who might misuse them.
- Check to see that medications needing refrigeration are stored in the refrigerator in an area which they will not freeze and in where they cannot be easily reached by children.
- Check to see that medications are stored away from light and heat, which can effect the chemical composition of the medication.
- When someone is taking medicine, be sure that there is good light so that the medicine label can be seen clearly.
- Medications should not be moved within the medicine cabinet or storage level. People expect medication to be in a certain place and do not always look at the label.
- Medications should not be used if there is no label. If the label is torn or defaced, or the medicine is outdated, the medicine should be tossed out.
- Be sure that medications that look like water or soft drinks are not put in containers from which children or others might drink.
- Post on or by the telephone, the emergency phone numbers of important family members, the poison control center, and the rescue squad and the doctor.
- If you’ve been instructed to dispose of medications, do not put them in the garbage or trash where children and animals can get them.
- Store all medications in their original containers. Some medications can become less potent, or ineffective, if taken out of its original container.