Safer Child Products

My 11 year old daughter takes a prescription allergy pill every night.  On evenings that I am out, I worry, do I leave it for her in a medicine cup on the counter, do I leave the bottle on the counter with instructions for her to take 1 ? At age 11, and mature, I never know what to leave her in charge of and what instructions to leave with the sitter. 

When they are 11, they probably have it ingrained, not to take any medication that is not given to them by their parent/caregiver, or prescribed for them by their doctor, but when they are 3, they do not know.  I used to worry when my parents came over with the baggies full of pills, left on the counter.  What if my kids find them?  Are they going to be tempted to try one? 

Many pills are colorful and look like candy.  It is easy to get them confused.Here are some simple suggestions on how to keep your children safe from harm when it comes to accidental ingestion of medication, from http://www.ncpoisoncenter.org/body.cfm?id=115

  Lock medicines up where children cannot see or reach them.

•  Make sure medicine contains child-resistant packaging if possible. Keep in mind, NOTHING is childproof!

•  Store medicines in their original containers.

•  Don't call medicine candy.

•  Take your medicines where children cannot watch; children often learn by imitation.

•  Teach children to ask an adult before putting anything in their mouth.