Bathroom Poison Safety

All medicines, whether prescription or purchased over-the-counter, are dangerous if used improperly and potentially poisonous to people of all ages. Yet according to The State of Home Safety in America® Report, 82 percent of families report that medications are left unsecured. Household cleaners, some cosmetics and other everyday items can pose a poison risk for children. Consider the following safety advice when handling and storing medications and other potentially hazardous products:

	Vitamins, supplements, aspirin and other over-the-counter remedies, as well as most prescription medicines, should be purchased with child-resistant closures. Child-resistant packaging has been shown to help protect children from poisoning.
	Lock medicines and medical supplies, including personal syringes, in a medicine cabinet or other locking cabinet and secure the key. Do not store medicines inside purses, nightstand drawers, or other locations easily accessed by children.
	Capsules, tablets and liquid medications look alike and may also look similar to other dangerous products. If medications become separated from their original containers, don't assume it is safe to use them. It is too risky to consume or use unidentified medications.
	Flush all unidentified and out-of-date medicines down the toilet. As medicines age, the chemicals inside them can change. Rinse the container well and discard it.
	Store all medicines in their original containers with the original labels intact. Prescription medicines may or may not list ingredients. In an emergency, the prescription number on the label will allow rapid identification of ingredients by your pharmacist. Treat all medicines and supplements as potential poisons, especially to young children.
	Cosmetics and other personal care products can be highly toxic if consumed and some contain caustic ingredients that can harm skin and eyes. Read all product packaging carefully and follow use and storage instructions.
	Use child safety locks on all cabinets where you store medicines, cosmetics and personal care products.
	If you provide care for someone who uses medications, carefully dispense the medicines and keep track of doses to ensure compliance with the prescription or medical recommendation.