Safe Medication Storage and Disposal Practices
Plants have been used extensively to make medicines for thousands of years. But, over the years, they have been developed into medications of extreme potency. Today we need to be aware of the hazards of medications when they fall into the wrong hands, either on accident or through theft, and take measures to avoid this happening.
So, in the interest of security, we offer some tips and types of locks which may prove helpful:
Not in the medicine chest
Not only is the medicine chest the first place a thief will look for medications, but it’s also a warm, damp environment ill suited for most medicine, which usually calls for a cool, dry place. Storing it somewhere out of sight and out of the reach of children, including teens, is a must.
Buy a cap lock for the bottle
Childproof caps are difficult for anyone to open except for children, who invariably figure out how to lock a childproof cap way faster than an adult. Childproof caps are also difficult for people who have arthritis or other hand weaknesses, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. In response, many people fail to close the bottle properly, making the childproof cap useless. A better solution is a locking cap for the bottle, available at Amazon.
Just don’t combine pills
Combining pills in one container may seem convenient, but even a small mix-up can have unintended and sometimes very unpleasant consequences. So, buy a lock for each one and keep medications in the original bottles until they’re finished.
A lock box or small safe
If you take a number of medications, consider a lockbox or a small safe for pills. The safe is especially handy if you have dangerous medications such as opioids or tranquilizers which are prescribed for seasonal or occasional use. In addition to keeping children safe, a medication lock box keeps the types of medications private, meaning a person who has ill-intent in mind doesn’t have the option of seeing what might be in the medicine safe. If you lose the key or combination, we can help.
Refrigeration
If medication needs to be refrigerated, the patient should be prudent if there are kids around and keep them on the top shelf and way out of the way of food or stored in a completely separate area.
Safe disposal
First, remove and destroy the label from the bottle when you’re finished with medication. Addicts have excellent hunting skills and it’s better if there is no trace in the trash of the type of prescription medications which might be renewed and stored in your home.
Take back programs are available annually or semi-annually, but some communities have locations which offer a year-round drop off for unused medication. You can find those by entering your zip code here.
Flushing old medications down the toilet used to be the standard, but residuals of these have been found in lakes, rivers, and even drinking water. The FDA recommends mixing unwanted meds with a noxious substance such as used cat litter and sealed in a plastic baggie before throwing it away.
Kwikpick Lock and Safe offers FREE lockout service for children or pets. If you need locksmith services for your Surprise, El Mirage, or Phoenix home or auto, call today! Bill 623-300-1889.
