Safety Tips for Using Medication at Home
Each year, around 50,000 children under the age of 5 end up in emergency rooms due to poisoning after ingesting medication.
In times of need, medication can improve lives and even save them. However, too much of any medication can be fatal for a toddler, child, or teenager. This is why both prescription and over-the-counter medications should be kept out of children’s reach.
Protecting Young Children & Teenagers
Many common medications, such as opioids, heart and diabetes medications, and even prenatal vitamins, can be deadly to infants and young children in very small doses—just one or two pills. Teenagers can also make poor choices with medications, especially prescription drugs, and those mistakes often have tragic consequences.
If your child is unconscious, not breathing, or having seizures due to exposure or ingestion of toxic substances, call 115 (Vietnam’s emergency number) immediately and bring the medicine packaging or product container to the hospital. If your child has mild or no symptoms but may have swallowed medicine, still contact a doctor or go to the nearest clinic for advice.
Just as you protect your child in the car by using a car seat and seatbelt, you need to protect them at home by securely locking away medications and other common household toxins. Here are some medication safety tips for parents, grandparents, and anyone with children or teenagers in the home.
Safe Storage: Out of Reach and Out of Sight
- – Use child-resistant containers: Store medications in containers with child-resistant caps and keep them out of children’s reach and sight. Remember that child-resistant does not mean child-proof; it just makes it harder for children to open the container.
- – Keep medications in their original packaging: Store all prescription and over-the-counter medications in their original packaging in a locked cabinet or container. Safety latches on cabinet doors can help keep children away from harmful products, but they are not always foolproof.
- – Consider using a small safe or locked cabinet: Secure all medications in a small safe or locked cabinet.
- – Return medications to their safe storage immediately after use: Never leave children alone with medications. If you need to take a call or step away, take the medications with you.
- – Remind caregivers, grandparents, and visitors: Ask babysitters, grandparents, and other visitors to keep purses, bags, or coats with medications out of children’s reach.
Taking Medications and Administering to Children
- – Take medications away from common areas: When taking medications, do so over a bathroom sink or away from shared areas of your home. Clean up any spills immediately. For many opioids and other potent pain relievers, even a small amount absorbed through the skin (from liquids and patches) can be life-threatening.
- – Never refer to medication as “candy” or by appealing names: This could confuse children or tempt them to try the medication when you’re not looking.
- – Carefully measure and administer medication to children: Always read the instructions when giving your child over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, which are common pain relievers and fever reducers. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most emergency room visits for medication errors involve children who were accidentally given the wrong dosage by their parents.
- – Use a syringe or dropper to measure the exact amount: Avoid using regular kitchen spoons, as they are not accurate enough for dosing medication. For example, 5 ml (mL) is equivalent to 1 teaspoon (tsp); 15 ml (mL) is equivalent to 3 teaspoons (tsp) and also equals 1 tablespoon.
- – Be aware that some over-the-counter medications are for adults only: These should never be given to children. Discuss safer alternatives with your pediatrician or pharmacist.
- – Give medications to children as directed: Follow the prescription or doctor’s instructions. If you miss a dose, check the patient leaflet or ask a pharmacist. Usually, if you remember soon, give it straight away; if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and give the next one as normal. Never give a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Seek Answers
- – Ask questions: Many parents struggle to understand medication instructions. It’s better to ask questions if you’re unsure how to administer the medication than to give it incorrectly.
- – Get clear dosing instructions: Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you the correct amount using the measuring device you plan to use. Confirm with them that the dosage you plan to give is correct.
- – Request written instructions: Ask your doctor or pharmacist to write down the instructions for you to take home.
- – Communicate in your preferred language: Use the language you’re most comfortable with to ask questions, and request an interpreter if needed to ensure you understand the instructions.
- – Check before mixing medication with food or liquids: Confirm with your child’s doctor or pharmacist before mixing medication with any food or drink.
Avoid Unnecessary Medication
- – Only give medication for symptoms that need it: For example, only treat persistent coughs. Over-the-counter cough and cold medications are not recommended for children under 6 years old and should never be used for children under 2 years old. Do not give cough medicines containing codeine to children under 12. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any cough or cold medicine.
– Be cautious with multi-symptom medications: Many cold medications contain several drugs in one bottle. Do not give your child additional fever reducers or pain relievers if they are already taking a cold medicine that includes these ingredients. It’s best to give your child only one medication at a time.
– Administer fever reducers when necessary: You can give your child medication to reduce fever if their temperature is above 38°C (100.4°F) and they are uncomfortable, using the dose for their weight as advised by a doctor or pharmacist. Babies under 3 months old with a temperature of 38°C or higher must be seen by a doctor straight away – do not treat the fever at home. Remember that fever is a sign that the body is fighting off an infection. Fever reducers help your child feel more comfortable, but if they are otherwise comfortable, fever medication may not be necessary.
LET CALIBEE TAKE CARE OF YOUR HOME
References
- Medication Safety Tips for Families – AAP – HealthyChildren.org
- How to Use Liquid Medicines for Children – AAP – HealthyChildren.org
- Use Caution When Giving Cough and Cold Products to Kids – FDA (USA)
- Fever and Your Baby – AAP – HealthyChildren.org
This article is for general information only and does not replace a doctor's diagnosis or advice; ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine, and call 115 in an emergency.
