Secure Your Meds

Are you potentially putting your children at risk for accidental overdose?

Ottawa children are being harmed by medications they find in their own homes. Children are at particular risk of poisoning due to their growing curiosity and inexperience, not to mention their tendency to put everything in their mouths!

• Thirteen percent of Ottawa teens use prescription drugs that weren't prescribed for them and two-thirds got the drugs from a parent, sibling or someone else they live with.
• Half of all poison exposures occur among children younger than five years of age and medication is involved in 67% of all unintentional poisonings of children age 14 and under.
• The most common call the Ontario Poison Control Centre receives for children under five are from a child ingesting pain relievers, which includes products that contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

You can reduce the risk of your children getting access to prescription drugs by safely disposing of your medications to ensure they don't get into the wrong hands. If you need to have prescription drugs at home, lock them up and check regularly.

Try this QUIZ!

Where do I return my unused or expired medications?

Watch for missing medication and return unused or expired medications to your pharmacy or at a pharmacy participating in the Ontario Medication Return Program using this searchable map from the Ontario Medications Return Program.

If you or your child has accidentally consumed drugs or medication, contact the Ontario Poison Control Centre at 1-800-268-9017. 

Learn more on drug, including cannabis and medication safety for babies and toddlers and children.

This blog was produced in collaboration with: The Ottawa Overdose Prevention and Response Task Force, the Health Products Stewardship Association and Drug Free Kids Canada.

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