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Safe Medication Storage: Dispelling Myths and Essential Tips
Storing medications safely protects curious children and pets. Additionally, proper storage is the best way to preserve the effectiveness and potency of your medications. After all, medicines, vitamins, and supplements exist to help us maintain our health—and storing them safely will help them do so.
Not sure where to start? Take a look around your home and note where your medications are located. Then, read the following dos and don’ts for storing medications and adjust as needed. Read carefully—some tips might surprise you.
DON'T
❌ DON’T store medications in the bathroom medicine cabinet. This tip might seem counterintuitive given the name “medicine cabinet,” but it’s actually one of the worst places to store medications. Why? The temperature and humidity changes that occur in most bathrooms can degrade medications, reducing their effectiveness.
❌ DON’T keep medications past their expiration date. Expiration dates exist for a reason. The chemical composition of medications changes over time. Expired medications may be less effective—and could even pose risks or be harmful to your health.
❌ DON’T store medications where children can easily access them. Don’t keep medications, vitamins, or supplements within children’s reach or sight. If your child can see or access medications in a drawer or on a countertop, it’s time to move them to a safer location.
❌ DON’T store medications in checked luggage when traveling. Placing medications in checked luggage risks losing them or having them stolen while you’re on the move. Additionally, your luggage will be exposed to extreme temperature changes in the cargo hold, which can reduce the effectiveness of your medications.
DO
✔️ DO store medications in the kitchen or bedroom, away from heat and humidity. This is why many people choose to store their medications in these rooms. The bedroom or kitchen is ideal for storing medications as they are generally cool and dry.
✔️ DO dispose of expired medications safely. Start by reading the medication label to see if the manufacturer provides specific disposal instructions. If not, the best way to safely dispose of expired or unused medications is to take them to a local drug take-back facility. If no facility is nearby, you can dispose of them in the trash.
✔️ DO store medications out of children’s reach and sight. Put medications “up and away” after each use. Always secure the cap tightly and never leave medications near a child’s bed without supervision. Ensure that all family members, babysitters, and guests know to keep medications out of sight when they are in your home.
✔️ DO carry medications in their original container and in your carry-on luggage when traveling. Always keep medications with you when traveling. As long as your medications are properly labeled and in their original container, you shouldn’t have any issues at security checkpoints. If you have questions about storing medications during a flight, contact your airline ahead of time.
Properly storing medications takes just a few minutes of careful planning. Following these dos and don’ts can help keep your family safe and preserve the effectiveness of your medications.
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