With school out and the summer travel season in full swing, families across the country are gearing up for vacations and visits to grandparents and relatives. Amid the excitement, safety experts are emphasizing the importance of secure medicine storage to protect young children.

As families prepare for their summer adventures, parents and grandparents should ensure that medications are packed and stored safely. For those hitting the road or flying to far-off destinations, using child-resistant containers for all medicines is crucial to prevent accidental poisonings.

SAFE MEDICINE PRACTICES FOR SUMMER TRAVEL

Traveling families: When packing for a trip, always place medicines in child-resistant containers, even if it's tempting to use more compact options like pill organizers or plastic baggies. These alternatives often lack the child safety features necessary to prevent young children from accessing potentially harmful substances. Once at your destination, locate a secure spot to store medicines, such as a high cabinet or shelf. In hotel rooms, consider using the room safe for added security.

Visiting relatives: If staying with grandparents or other relatives, make sure to discuss a safe storage location for your medicines upon arrival. This helps ensure they remain out of sight and reach of curious little hands.

Hosting grandchildren: Grandparents expecting visits from young grandchildren should take proactive steps to secure all medicines, vitamins and supplements, including those in gummy form. Store these items high and out of reach, ideally in a locked or secure cabinet. Before the grandchildren arrive, sweep or vacuum the floor to eliminate any stray pills that may have fallen and rolled out of sight. This simple action can prevent potential accidents involving young children or pets.

TIPS FOR SAFE MEDICINE STORAGE WHILE TRAVELING

• Out of sight and reach: Always keep medicines in a place that is inaccessible to children. Whether traveling or hosting, ensure that all medications are stored up high and out of sight.
• Child-resistant containers: Use containers with child-resistant features to store medicines. Avoid transferring them to easier-to-access containers like baggies or pill organizers that children can easily open.
• Communicate storage needs: When staying in someone else's home, ask the host for a safe place to store your medications.
• Poison Help number: Save the Poison Help number, 800-222-1222, in your phone. In case of emergency, this number connects you to experts available 24/7, including doctors, pharmacists and toxicologists, who can provide immediate assistance.

By following these guidelines, families can enjoy a safer and more relaxed summer, free from the worry of accidental poisonings. For more information on safe medicine storage and other travel safety tips, visit www.safekids.org.