Safe Kids Worldwide publishes new report outlining medicine poisoning risk among children

WASHINGTON — According to the new report “An In-Depth Look at Keeping Young Children Safe Around Medicines,” released last week by Safe Kids Worldwide, 7-of-10 emergency department visits for medicine poisonings are due to curious young children getting into their grandparent’s or mother’s medicine that was left within reach. The report notes one of the most effective ways to reverse this trend is through safe medicine storage at home and when traveling. 

“This report clearly reinforces that parents and caregivers must always keep medicines and vitamins up and away and out of sight of young children — every time they are used, especially those used every day,” stated Emily Skor, VP communications and alliance development at the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. The report states that of children who visited emergency rooms in 2011 due to medicine poisonings, in 67% of the cases the medication was left within reach of the child in a purse, on a nightstand or counter, on the ground or in a misplaced area like under a sofa cushion. 

“Young children are curious, and they can quickly get into medicines or vitamins when parents and caregivers aren't looking. We encourage everyone who spends time with small children to look at your home through the eyes of a child and to pick a place to store medicines and vitamins that is high up, out of a child’s reach and sight,” Skor said.

To remind parents, grandparents and caregivers about the importance of safe medicine storage, the CHPA Educational Foundation in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its PROTECT Initiative launched the Up and Away and Out of Sight safe medicine storage educational campaign.

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