Medicine Cabinet Makeover
It happens to all of us – cuts, scrapes, burns, bruises – even allergic reactions can strike when we least expect them. No matter what the season, parents need to take extra precautions when it comes to their children. But for many parents who run to their medicine cabinets when the unexpected occurs, the products they need aren’t there when they need them – or if they are, they’re long past their expiry date.
In a recent survey commissioned by the makers of Benadryl, an average of four expired products were found in each household, with sunscreen and allergy products being the most commonly expired. And, while 80 per cent of Canadians think they should have an antihistamine on hand, only half actually do.
The reality is it’s not always possible to know when a family member or a guest in your home will experience the unexpected – It’s best to be prepared by having your medicine cabinet well-stocked and up-to-date.
Make it a priority to give your medicine cabinet a makeover this season.
Here are some tips to help get you started:
• Location, location, location. Make sure your medicine cabinet is dry, cool, and always out of reach of children. While the bathroom may seem obvious, it isn’t always the best location, as steam and humidity can negatively affect some drugs and medications. An ideal spot is on the top shelf of a linen closet or in a high, closed kitchen cupboard away from the stove.
• Prepare to purge. Remove everything from your medicine cabinet to ensure that only items you want to keep go back in, rather than missing that old pill bottle behind the bandages.
• Expel the expired. Throw away anything that has expired or is not in its original packaging – no matter what!
• Think before you throw. It’s very important to safely discard expired medications. Don’t flush them down the toilet – this creates a potential public health hazard by allowing drugs to get into the water supply. Instead, participate in a medication take-back program in your area, where you can bring expired medication to a centre and it will be safely disposed for you. Your local pharmacy may also have information and services for getting rid of expired products.
• Clean up. Disinfect and wipe down shelves, letting them fully dry before you start putting products back into the cabinet to avoid creating a moist environment.
Follow this checklist to make sure you have your bases covered for unexpected medical situations.
Checking expiration dates should happen frequently, but giving your medicine cabinet a thorough makeover twice a year will help ensure you’re better prepared. Here’s an easy way to remember –makeover your medicine cabinet once during your spring cleaning and again when you are getting ready for back to school. The peace of mind from knowing you are prepared for the unexpected will definitely be worth the effort.
