How to Keep Medicine Out of Reach of Children
Children are resourceful and crafty, which means they can open child-resistant bottles much sooner than you might think. Taking simple precautions can help prevent accidental medicine ingestion and keep your kids safe.
Avoid Taking Medicine in Front of Young Children
Children imitate what they see. If they watch you take medicine, they might try to copy your actions later.
Additionally, never call medicine “candy” or anything similar. If you do, they’ll just want some too, which increases the risk of accidental poisoning.
Proper Medicine Storage Tips
To prevent medicine-related accidents, always:
- Keep bottles closed tightly after every use.
- Store all medications up and away, out of children’s reach.
- Use a locked cabinet or secure storage area.
- Be extra cautious when guests bring medications into your home.
What to Do If a Medicine Mistake Happens
Even with the best precautions, medicine mistakes can happen. If your child accidentally takes medication, don’t panic—help is available.
???? Call the Missouri Poison Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
- Calls are free and 100% confidential.
- Specialists can answer questions about medication safety.
- Getting expert advice quickly could save a life.
▼ Transcript with visual descriptions
Visual: Thumbnail with an image of a woman holding various pills and capsules and the title “Medicine safety tips for parents and sitters.” The Missouri Poison Center logo is in the bottom right corner.
Sound: Upbeat, lighthearted instrumental music begins.
Visual: Person 1, a man wearing a dark t-shirt, is in a recording booth with blue LED lights.
Person 1: Children are resourceful, crafty, the human equivalent of raccoons.
Visual: A close-up of a raccoon sitting upright on dirt.
Sound: Cat meow.
Visual: Back with Person 1 in recording booth.
Person 1: And they can start to open child-resistant bottles a lot sooner than you might think.
Visual: Person 1 holds up a corkscrew bottle opener and looks wide-eyed, pretending to be caught, then throws the bottle opener.
Person 2: Billy, what are you doing with that bottle opener?
Sound: Sound of bottle opener hitting the floor.
Person 1: Try to avoid taking your medicine in front of young children, because, like body-snatching aliens, they learn to imitate us. And avoid calling your medicine “candy” or something similar, cause they’re just gonna want some.
Person 1 with a child voice: What is that?
Person 1 with a rough man voice: It’s spicy. You wouldn’t like it.
Visual: Person 1 struggles to open a pill bottle with an exaggerated facial expression.
Person 1: Always make sure your meds are closed tightly, and are out of the reach of your children. Up and away, or locked safely in a cabinet. This is important for when you’re having guests over, too. Out of sight, out of tiny, toddler mind. Now that being said, medicine mistakes do happen, and we’re here to help.
Visual: The screen changes to a white background with the Missouri Poison Center logo and the phone number 1-800-222-1222 in red text. The words “Open 24/7!” appear diagonally.
Person 1: Call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 if a medicine mistake occurs.
Visual: More text appears: “There’s always an Expert standing by that’s ready to consult on evaluation and management.”
Person 1: Or if you just have a question about your medication. Our calls are always free, and are 100% confidential! And they could save your life.
