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home medicine cabinet can be a vital resource when illness
or accidents occur. Stocked with key supplies and properly
stored drugs, the medicine cabinet can provide not only
fast relief from head colds and headaches, but can also
be the best and first line of defense against more serious
injuries and infections. To safeguard your family, consider
the following tips and evaluate your medicine cabinet.
The medicine cabinet in most homes
is typically in the bathroom. Because of the deteriorating
effect of heat and humidity, the bathroom actually provides
poor storage. Most medicines should be kept in a cool,
dry place.
Unless specifically directed, medications
should not be refrigerated. Cold temperatures can alter
certain medications. (It is important to read the label
on your medicine - some drugs must be refrigerated.)
Clean out your medicine cabinet at
least once a year, throwing away outdated and expired
medicines and those whose colour, smell, and taste have
changed.
Store all medicines in their original
containers.
Because of the potential dangers
of drugs to children, special precaution needs to be taken
in storing medicines out of their reach. Medications should
be stored in high places or behind locked doors. Be particularly
careful when storing medicines in the refrigerator where
children may have easy access. Don’t take medicine in
front of children who love to imitate adults, and never
refer to medicine as candy.
Your family pharmacist can help you
in your selection of the following medicines and supplies
to keep on hand in case of home emergencies.
These
may include:
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