October 15, 2008
Have You Cleaned Out Your Medicine Cabinet?
When cleaning out that that over-crowded closet or cluttered kitchen drawer, you may forget to clean a very important area in your home-the medicine cabinet.
The often-overlooked medicine cabinet may harbor old, unused medicine that can be a health risk. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from potential hazards:
Most people store their medication in the bathroom. Bathrooms have a tendency to get hot and damp and the humidity often causes the medication to break down. If you must store your medicine in the bathroom, follow these tips:
- Always store the medicine in a cool, dry place.
- Keep medications off of the counter and out of the reach of children and pets.
- Always check the expiration date on your medication. This includes over-the-counter medicine and herbal products.
- Dispose of expired medication. When tossing old medicine, flush down the toilet to prevent ingestion by children and pets.
- Don't forget that eye drops expire like any other medication. They have a tendency to harbor bacteria after the expiration date and may lose potency and become toxic.
- To decrease confusion, (wrong dose, wrong medicine) get rid of medicine such as painkillers that are no longer being used. This will keep the medicine out of the wrong hands.
- You should never have any antibiotics left. Antibiotics are supposed to be taken until completion. Not finishing your antibiotics and taking them for various other illnesses can pose potential health problems.
- Always purchase products in childproof containers.
- Be sure that medications, chemicals, cleaning agents, and other potentially hazardous materials are out of the reach of children and pets.
- Be aware of the possible dangers of cosmetic products. Infants and children can choke on baby powder.
Remember your medicine cabinet can be a dangerous place if it is filled with old, unused medication. Instead of holding on to that medicine, just trash it.
Reminder
Prevention of all medical problems is probably not possible. So, if prevention is not possible, then preparation is the next best option. Maintaining a current list of your medications in a convenient location will prevent you from having to search for them during an emergency or when you need to see the doctor. When discussing your healthcare with your doctor or nurse, you will need to provide this information. Having it available can prevent delays in treatment, potential drug interactions, or serious complications.
