As parents and caregivers, keeping our children safe is one of our top priorities. An important but often overlooked area when childproofing our homes is ensuring that all medicines and hazardous household chemicals are properly stored out of reach of little hands. Today, we will discuss the importance of safe medicine storage and chemical storage and provide helpful tips to keep curious children safe.
The Dangers of Unsafe Storage
Children are naturally curious and will explore their surroundings. Unfortunately, this can lead them to get into unsafe situations if we do not take proper precautions. Children are at risk of poisoning from swallowing pills, creams, ointments and liquids. Even non-ingestible products like shampoos can be hazardous if they get into the eyes. It is our responsibility as caregivers to minimise these risks.
Safe Medicine Storage
Whether you are fostering in Scotland, or caring for your own child, when it comes to medicine, the safest place is out of sight and out of reach of children. All medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, should be stored up high, ideally in a locked cabinet. If you don’t have a medicine cabinet, you can use a high shelf or lockbox. Make sure children cannot access or climb up to reach medicines. Any medication that requires refrigeration should be kept on a high shelf of the fridge, ideally in a container with a safety lock.
Keep all pills, liquids and creams in their original packaging and check that child-resistant caps are properly closed after each use. Never transfer medicines into bags or unlabelled containers that inquisitive children could get into. It is also wise to keep purses containing medications out of reach, as these are easy targets for exploration. Properly discard any expired or unused medications to avoid mix-ups.
Storing Household Chemicals Securely
Household cleaners, car supplies and gardening chemicals pose another threat and should also be stored safely. These products are often brightly coloured or scented to appeal to adults, making them enticing to children as well. All hazardous chemicals should be kept in locked cabinets or on high, hard-to-reach shelves.
Implementing Safety Practices
In addition to safe medicine storage, it is important that all family members and visitors are aware of the measures in place and committed to following them. Discuss your safety practices with grandparents, babysitters, or anyone else who cares for your children. Stress that medicines and hazardous products must be kept out of sight and out of reach every time, without exception.
Lead by example and make a habit of immediately returning any products to their proper storage place after use. Do not leave medicines or cleaners out on countertops, even for a short time. Developing these diligent safety habits is key to keeping your children safe.
Child safety should always be the top priority when medication and chemicals are present in the home. Take simple preventative measures like proper storage at height to help minimise risks. If you suspect a child has ingested anything harmful, call emergency services immediately. With safe storage habits and adult supervision, we can help avoid tragic accidents and keep our children’s natural curiosity from putting them in danger.
