The One Safety Step Most Families Forget—And Why It Matters

Prescription

Have you made an effort to store your prescription medicine safely?

Every day, young people come across medications in places adults rarely think twice about—bathroom drawers, kitchen cabinets, backpacks, even purses.

To keep kids safe, adults and parents can take a few simple steps that make a huge difference.

1. Lock It Up

Medications—prescription or over the counter—don’t belong within easy reach.

Quick ways to secure meds:

• Use a lockbox or locking cabinet

• Keep medicines stored up high and out of sight

• Don’t leave pills in bags, glove compartments, or counters

  
  

A locked space is one of the strongest protections you can put in place.

2. Take Regular Inventory

Know what’s in your home and what’s missing—especially with prescriptions that have high misuse potential.

Make it a habit to:

• Count pills or patches every week

• Keep a quick list of active medications

• Note refill dates and expiration dates

• Pay attention to meds disappearing faster than expected

  
  

Staying aware helps you catch issues early and prevents accidental or intentional misuse.

3. Dispose of What You Don’t Need

Unused or expired medications should not sit in the cabinet “just in case.”

Safe disposal keeps them out of the hands of curious teens, visiting friends, or small children.

Best disposal options:

• Local police or health departments that collect unused meds

• Year-round drop boxes at pharmacies

• Drug Take Back events

• FDA-approved disposal pouches for home use

• If flushing is allowed—only for medications labeled safe to flush

  
  

When in doubt, ask a pharmacist for guidance.

4. Talk About It

Secure storage matters—but so does communication.

Let kids know:

• Medications can be dangerous if not prescribed for them

• “Just a pill” can have serious consequences

• You’re available for honest questions about drugs and health

  
  

Keeping the conversation open reduces curiosity and confusion.

The Bottom Line

A few simple routines—secure, track, and dispose—can keep your household safer and prevent medication misuse before it starts

Small habit. Big impact. And it starts at home.

Need to dispose of a prescription? Erie County Pharmaceutical Dropoff Locations