Keeping kids and teens safe can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to prescription medications and the risks of accidental poisoning, misuse, and overdose. But as parents, grandparents, and caring adults protecting the young people in our lives doesn’t have to be complicated. Small actions at home can make a meaningful difference.
One simple way we can all help is to Watch, Drop, and Talk:
Watch: Know What's In Your Home
Take a few minutes to look at the prescription medications in your home. Know what you have, how much you have, and where it is stored. Medications that can be especially dangerous if taken by someone they weren’t prescribed for—including prescription pain medications, stimulants, and depressants—should be kept in a secure location that isn’t accessible to children, teens, visitors, or others in the household. Consider a locked or otherwise secure storage location instead of an easily accessible medicine cabinet.
Note: It’s also important to get medications only from a licensed pharmacy and to never take or purchase pills from an unknown or illegal source. Pills obtained outside a pharmacy can contain unexpected and potentially deadly substances, including fentanyl.
Drop: Get Unused Prescriptions Out of the House
Have “leftover” prescriptions from an illness, surgery, or an old prescription? Don’t let them sit around “just in case.” Unused, unwanted, and expired medications can create opportunities for accidental ingestion or misuse. Keeping pills like these out of your home is an easy way to reduce that risk. Properly dispose of medications according to the instructions that came with the medication, since some medicines have special disposal requirements.
Make your home safer by using one of these options twice a year:
- Find a permanent medication drop box in your community to safely dispose of unwanted prescriptions.
- For medications that are appropriate for household-trash disposal:
You can mix the medication with an undesirable substance such as used kitty litter or coffee grounds, place the mixture in a sealed bag or container, and put it in the household trash.
Talk: Start the Conversation - and Keep Talking
Sometimes the most powerful safety tool we have is a conversation. Talk with kids and teens about prescription medications—not just when there is a problem, but as part of everyday conversations about staying safe.
Let them know:
- Prescription medications are meant only for the person they were prescribed to.
- You should never share your prescription medication with someone else.
- You should never take someone else’s prescription medication.
- Taking a pill from a friend, family member, or an unknown source can be dangerous.
- If they’re ever unsure about a medication, they can come to you and ask questions without fear of getting in trouble.
- For younger children, medication should only be administered by an adult or caregiver.
And remember:
Kids notice what adults do. When they see us using medications only as prescribed, storing them securely, and disposing of them responsibly, we’re showing them what medication safety looks like in real life.
We Can ALL Be Part of the Solution
Preventing prescription drug misuse isn’t about being perfect. It’s about taking practical steps and creating an environment where kids know they can ask questions, speak up, and make safe choices.
- Watch what’s in your home.
- Drop off medications you no longer need.
- Talk openly about medication safety.
Three simple actions. One shared goal: helping keep our kids, teens, families, and communities safer.
And sometimes, a simple conversation or a few minutes spent securing medications really can make a difference.
