Each year, roughly 50,000 children under 5 wind up in emergency rooms due to accidental medicine poisoning. That’s a startling number, and a potent reminder that what keeps us healthy can become incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands.
Keeping Kids Safe: A Guide to Medicine & Child Safety
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Protecting children from accidental poisoning requires vigilance and proactive safety measures.
- Always store medications—prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements—locked up and out of sight.
- Never refer to medicine as “candy” to avoid tempting children.
- If you suspect a poisoning, immediately call 911 for emergencies or 800-222-1222 for non-emergency guidance.
- Carefully measure dosages and follow instructions, asking your pediatrician any questions you may have.
- Safely dispose of unused medications, especially opioids, to prevent accidental exposure.
Medications are designed to heal and prolong life, but they pose a serious threat when accessible to children and teens. Even a small dose—just one or two pills—can be fatal, particularly with common medications like fever reducers, opioids, heart medications, diabetes drugs, vitamins, and iron supplements. Teenagers also face risks from misuse of prescription drugs.
What should you do if you suspect a child has ingested poison? If your child is unconscious, not breathing, or experiencing seizures, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. For milder symptoms or suspected ingestion with no immediate distress, contact the Poison Center at 800-222-1222 or visit PoisonHelp.org.
Safe Storage is Key
Think of medicine safety like car seat safety. You wouldn’t dream of letting your child ride unrestrained in a vehicle, and the same level of protection is needed at home. Locking up medicines and other household poisons is a crucial step in childproofing.
Always use medicine containers with child-resistant caps. However, remember that “child-resistant” doesn’t mean “child-proof.” Store all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements in their original packaging, locked in cabinets or containers. Safety latches can offer an extra layer of security, but a small safe or lockbox provides the most reliable protection. Always return medications to their secure location immediately after use.
Don’t forget visitors! Remind babysitters, grandparents, and guests to keep purses, bags, and jackets containing medications out of children’s reach.
Administering Medication Safely
Take medication over a bathroom sink or in a designated area away from common spaces to contain any accidental spills. Clean up any spills immediately, as even small amounts of some medications—particularly opioids and potent painkillers—can be life-threatening through skin absorption (liquids and patches).
Never call medicine “candy” or use any other appealing name. This can create confusion and tempt a child to experiment with pills when unsupervised.
Always double-check the dosage and measure it precisely, especially with over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Medication errors, often due to incorrect dosing, are a common cause of emergency room visits. Use a medicine syringe or dropper to ensure accuracy, and never give adult-strength medications to children.
Follow your doctor’s instructions for dosing and timing. If you miss a dose, administer it as soon as possible and resume the regular schedule with the next dose. Avoid giving two doses simultaneously or extra doses without consulting your doctor. If you’re unsure, reach out to your doctor or pharmacist.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask Questions
Pediatricians encourage parents to ask questions about their child’s medications. Many parents find medicine instructions confusing. Don’t hesitate to seek clarification on how and when to administer medication, or whether it can be mixed with food or liquid. You can even ask your doctor or pharmacist to demonstrate the correct dosage or provide written instructions.
Use medications that treat symptoms only when necessary. Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines can have serious side effects and aren’t recommended for children under 6, and should never be used in children under 2.
Administer one medication at a time. Combination cold medications often contain multiple ingredients, including pain relievers. Avoid giving a separate pain reliever if the cold medication already contains one.
A fever isn’t always cause for immediate medication. If your child is comfortable, a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit can be managed with medication, but it’s a natural sign the body is fighting infection.
Proper Disposal is Crucial
Safely discard all unused medications, especially powerful drugs like opioids and heart/diabetes medications. Check the medicine label for disposal instructions. Medicine patches should be removed, folded in half, and flushed. Many pharmacies, poison control centers, and public safety stations accept old medications for safe disposal—call ahead to confirm.
