CDC Launches New Educational Program to Remind Parents to Keep Medicines Away From Children
December 19th, 2011
In an effort to keep children from accidentally overdosing at home, the CDC and partners have launched the Up and Away and Out of Sight educational campaign. This program outlines simple steps parents can take to keep their families safe, which includes:
- Pick a place children cannot reach. Find a storage place too high for a child to reach or see. Any medicine or vitamin can cause harm if taken the wrong way, even medicine you buy without a prescription.
- Put medicines and vitamins away every time you use them. Never leave medicines or vitamins out on a kitchen counter or at a sick child’s bedside, even if you have to give the medicine again in a few hours.
- Hear the click. Make sure the safety cap is locked. If the medicine has a locking cap that turns, twist it until the click is heard.
- Teach children about medicine safety. Never tell children that medicine is candy to get them to take it, even if the child does not like to take his or her medicine.
- Tell guests about medicine safety. Ask houseguests and visitors to keep purses, bags, or coats that have medicines in them up and away and out of sight when they are visiting.
- Be prepared in case of emergency. Program the poison control number into home and cell phones (1–800–222–1222).
For the full story, check it out on the CDC’s website here.
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