Keep Medicine Out of Kids' Reach and Sight, Relock the Cap
CDC says to keep medicines in a place young children can’t reach or see; always check that the safety cap on a medicine bottle is locked, then put the medicine back in its safe storage location. The same goes for vitamins and other supplements, including those in gummy form.
CDC says that each day in the United States, about 100 young children are brought to hospital emergency rooms after they find and get into medicines left within their reach and sight. Call Poison Help at 800-222-1222 right away if you think your child might have gotten into a medicine, vitamin or other supplement, even if you are not completely sure. This article follows two CDC pages on how to store medicine and what to watch for when giving it to children. Health situations differ, so ask your health care provider if you have questions.
Storing medicine
CDC explains (CDC Up and Away campaign resources):
- Up high: keep medicines in a safe location that is too high for young children to reach or see.
- Never leave them out: never leave medicines or supplements on a kitchen counter or at a sick child’s bedside, even if you have to give the medicine again in a few hours.
- Relock the safety cap: always relock the safety cap; if it’s a locking cap that turns, twist it until you can’t twist anymore or until you hear the click.
- Visitors’ bags: remind babysitters, houseguests and visitors to keep purses, bags or coats with medicines in them up and away and out of sight.
- Gummies count too: keep medicines, vitamins and other supplements, including those in gummy form, stored away.
Talking with children
- Medicine isn’t candy: many medicines and supplements look like candy, and young children, and even adults, may not be able to tell the difference; never tell children medicine is candy, even if they don’t like taking it.
- Explain what medicine is: teach children what medicine is and why you or another trusted adult must give it to them, and that they should never take it on their own.
Giving medicine to children
CDC explains (CDC Medication Safety):
- Read the label and follow directions: always read the label and follow directions, and don’t give a child more medicine than the package says.
- Use the dosing device: measure with the dosing device that comes with the medicine (oral syringe or dosing cup); if you don’t have one, ask your pharmacist; don’t use household spoons.
- Check active ingredients: check the active ingredients in prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and don’t give your child two medicines with the same active ingredient.
- Ask if you’re unsure: if you don’t understand the instructions, ask your pharmacist or doctor before giving the medicine.
Taking your own medicine
- Keep a list: keep a list of your medicines, vitamins and other supplements, and make sure your doctor knows about all of them.
- Turn on a light, wear glasses: turn on a light when taking medicine, and put on your glasses if you wear them, so you don’t misread the label.
- Take it on time: some medicines should be taken with meals or at a certain time of day; set timers or reminders, or try a reminder app.
For US emergency numbers, see Call 911 in Emergencies, 988 for Mental Health, 211 for Help; for where to go when you’re sick, see ERs Can't Refuse the Uninsured, Ask for Self-Pay Estimates.
What this article doesn’t cover
- After you call Poison Help: neither page says what the line will do or whether to go to the ER, so this article doesn’t either.
- Disposing of unused medicine: CDC links to an FDA page that this article didn’t review.
- Traveling with medicine: CDC has separate summer travel materials that this article didn’t review.
FAQ
Can I keep medicine by my child’s bed for convenience?
CDC says never to leave medicine at a sick child’s bedside or on a kitchen counter, even if you have to give it again in a few hours.
My child may have eaten vitamin gummies, but I’m not sure. Should I call?
Yes. CDC says to call Poison Help at 800-222-1222 right away if you think your child might have gotten into a medicine, vitamin or other supplement (including gummies), even if you are not completely sure.
Can I use a kitchen spoon to measure liquid medicine?
No. CDC says to use the dosing device that comes with the medicine, ask your pharmacist if you don’t have one, and not to use household spoons.
My child hates taking medicine. Can I call it candy?
No. CDC says never to tell children medicine is candy, even if they don’t like taking it.
Sources and date checked
All checked on 2026-11-02.
- CDC, Up and Away Campaign Resources (page updated 2025-07-18):https://www.cdc.gov/medication-safety/php/toolkit/index.html
- CDC, Medication Safety and Your Health (page updated 2024-11-18):https://www.cdc.gov/medication-safety/about/index.html