Out of Reach: Kids & Medications

Aired on Lifetime Television
August 3 and September 21, 2008
Show 518

Medications can work wonders, but when they're in the hands of little ones, they can be poison. Protecting your kids from accidentally taking over-the-counter or prescription medications is one of a parent's most important responsibilities. It starts the moment a parent brings their medicine home—right when the bags are unpacked. Be sure to remove the medicine first, because children tend to inspect shopping bags for candy—they're always on the lookout for candy! By the way, some parents try to get their kids to take medicine by telling them it's like candy... don't. And watch it if your medicine consists of coated pills... kids often mistake those for candy, too. Always keep medicine in its original container, high and out of a child's reach, away from common items kids use such as toothpaste or soap. And when it expires, don't throw it in the wastebasket. Check with your pharmacist for a collection program; there are quite a few of them. One more thing: not everybody child-proofs their home, so check for potential problems when you bring your children to a friend's or relative's home so they don't get into mischief there.