Agency stresses keeping medications away from children

AORN Journal,  March, 2006  

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Children four years of age and younger are more likely to be hospitalized for accidentally swallowing medications than for any other cause of unintentional injury, according to a Jan 12, 2006, news release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). From 2001 to 2003, an estimated 53,500 children four years of age and younger visited hospital emergency departments each year after swallowing medications not intended for them. Nearly 75% of these children were one to two years old, and 75% of the incidents occurred at home.

Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, antihistamines, cord and cough medications, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory medications, and vitamins were ingested in 40% of the incidents. The other incidents involved prescription medications, including antidepressants, antiseizure medications, and oral diabetes medications. Parents and other supervisors must be vigilant in protecting young children from inadvertent ingestion of medications. The CDC recommends the following preventive measures.

* Keep all medications in secured cabinets and out of reach of children.

* Store medications in their original containers.

* Dispose of all unused medications by flushing them down the toilet.

* Do not take medications in front of children because children tend to imitate adults.

* Make sure visitors store their medications safety.

* Keep the poison control number (ie, [800] 222-1222) posted by all telephones in the house.

Children Four and Younger More Likely to Be Hospitalized After Unintentionally Swallowing Medicines Than All Other Unintentional Injuries (news release, Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jan 12, 2006) http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/rO60112.htm (accessed 20 Jan 2006).

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