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Stop Telling Kids That Medicine Is Candy

Discussion in 'Pediatrics' started by Ghada Ali youssef, Mar 12, 2017.

  1. Ghada Ali youssef

    Ghada Ali youssef Golden Member

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    We’ll say anything to bribe a kid to take their medicine, but telling them it’s candy has the potential to backfire. Each year, 70,000 kids show up at emergency rooms after overdosing on medicine, most because they helped themselves to meds that were left in reach. After all, who doesn’t want more candy?

    Some kids understand that medicine helps you feel better, but then they apply toddler logic. If a little is good, more must be better, right? Kids also may not understand that there are different kinds of medicines, and so Grandma’s pills aren’t interchangeable with their Tylenol. My kids have even asked for medicine after skinning a knee.

    All this argues in favor of explaining to kids what medicine really is—and until they’re old enough to understand, keep meds “up and away,” as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has named their campaign to prevent childhood poisoning. That means if you gave some medicine to a sick toddler, and plan to give them more in four hours, don’t leave the bottle at their bedside. And if you’re visiting friends or family, make sure they don’t have meds or vitamins in kid-accessible places like the kitchen counter.

    1.Pick a place your children cannot reach.
    Any medicine or vitamin can be dangerous if taken in the wrong way or by the wrong person, even medicine you buy without a prescription (known as over-the-counter medicines). Walk around your home and find the best place to store medicines up and away and out of sight of young children.

    2. Put medicines up and away after each use.
    Never leave medicines 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. Always put every medicine and vitamin away every time you use it, including those you use every day.

    3. Make sure the safety cap is locked.
    Always relock the safety cap on medicine bottles. If the medicine has a locking cap that turns, twist it until you hear the “click” or until you can’t twist anymore. Remember, even though many medicines and vitamins have safety caps, children may be able to open them, so store all medicines up and away and out of sight.

    4. Teach your children about medicine safety.
    It’s important to teach your children what medicine is and why you or another caregiver must be the one to give it to them. Never tell your children medicine is candy, even if they don’t like to take their medicine.

    5. Tell guests about medicine safety.
    Always remind guests to keep purses, bags, or coats that have medicines in them up and away and out of sight when they’re in your home.

    6. Be prepared in case of an emergency.
    Save the Poison Help number (800-222-1222) in all of your phones, including cell phones, so you have it when you need it – and make sure it’s available for your child’s babysitter or caregiver. Call Poison Help right away if you think your child might have gotten into a medicine or vitamin, even if you are not completely sure.

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