Tips on Preventing Accidental Drug Ingestion in Children
Accidental drug ingestion in children can bring tragic outcomes, however many instances are preventable. Consider the following tips for avoiding such an occurrence.
Keep drugs away from little kids’ hands
You need to make sure that all drugs are kept away from children. Remember that a lot of kids’ drugs look and taste like candy, and the children may not realize how dangerous they are. If they see them, then they may take them and eat them before you can get to them. They should not be visible. Some people feel that a tall shelf is enough, but think about your children’s abilities. Can they take a chair, climb on it, and get to the medications? Can they take a stick and knock it down so that they can get it? Think about any way that they might be able to reach it.
It is very important to put away the medications as soon as possible. Even if you normally keep them away, if you leave them out for even a minute, there could be a problem. If you lay out your medication on a table, for instance, and then realize that you have forgotten you water, do not run into the kitchen and leave the pills unattended.
Make sure that medications are in childproof containers
Having the medicine in containers not easily opened by children can be an added layer of protection. Sometimes you will have a choice in this and if you have kids make sure that you get the childproof ones. If it doesn’t come in one, then find something they can’t get to. One idea is to put the medications in a locked box. You still might want to keep them away but the more safeguards the better.
When some people put away their medicines they do not think about their vitamins. This is sadly ironic because many of the drug overdoses that send children to the hospital actually involve the iron that is in vitamins. In addition to all prescription and over-the-counter medication make sure to keep away all vitamins and supplements.
If your children are older, then you can talk them about the importance of never taking medication without their parents’ approval. Talk to them about how it is dangerous.
You should also be very careful when handling medicine so that you do not drop any. If you do, make sure that you keep looking until you find all of them. Keep good track of all of your medications.
It is important to avoid drug ingestion in children. The above tips can aid you with this.
Updated On: 08/30/2010 Published On: 08/30/2010 Article ViewerClose
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