YOUR MEDICINE CABINET CLEANOUT DAY

How long has it been since you last checked the contents of your home first aid kit? Since 2019, Medicine Cabinet Cleanout Day, celebrated on the third Friday in April, has gained popularity worldwide. This new and useful tradition - a day each year when everyone is encouraged to review the contents of their first aid kits and dispose of old and unnecessary medicines - originated in the USA with the social initiative of DisposeRx, Inc., which produces preparations for disposing of medicines.

This tradition is not as widespread or systematized in Ukraine, but its practical and environmental benefits are evident. Expired medications and their chaotic storage can pose not only an environmental issue but also a significant risk to your family's health. Organizing the items in a home first-aid kit can help prevent accidents related to accidental ingestion, poisoning, or overdose.

Unauthorized use of medications, vitamins, or dietary supplements by children, when not prescribed and taken in random doses, is an increasingly common reason for doctor visits and hospital admissions. Their natural curiosity about the medications used by their parents and older relatives, eye-catching packaging, and parental negligence can lead to serious consequences for children.

We have compiled some practical tips that may be helpful for all parents:

1. Keep medicines and your personal first aid kit out of children's reach. They should be stored as far away and as high up as possible, and out of the child's sight. It's best to keep them locked up. Store medicines in the fridge unless the instructions indicate otherwise.
   
2. Refrain from taking medicines, dietary supplements, or vitamins in front of your child, as children tend to imitate adult behavior.
   
3. If a child is ill and prescribed medication, do not refer to pills as "sweets, " syrups as "juice," or use other "tasty" words. After recovery, the child may want to try them again.
   
4. Avoid letting your child play with jars, blister packs, bright ampules, and similar items. They may open and ingest the medicine. Older children should only take medications under the close supervision of an adult.
   
5. Talk to children and explain the benefits and risks of medicines. For example, a fairy tale can help a young child understand the likelihood of illness and the consequences of taking medicine. For younger children, you can explain why Dad or Grandma takes medication regularly and why they shouldn't take it. For teenagers, discuss the unfairness of advertising, the dangers of manipulation, and the challenges of social media.

Spring is the ideal time to organize your body, home, and personal medicine cabinet. Consult your doctor if you are unsure about how to dispose of any medications. Avoid self-medication, and prioritize the health of yourself and your loved ones!