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| Medicine safety needs more than just locking them away |
General advice is to put medicines on high shelves or behind child locks when our children are little. This physical barrier is absolutely essential, but as children grow it’s not enough. They become more curious, more resourceful and, eventually, they need to start understanding why those pills and liquids are kept separate. As they get older there is a shift to independence and they need to understand how to take responsibility for their own health, teaching them about medicine safety is an integral part of keeping them safe.
This post offers a guide on when and how to start these important conversations, transforming your child from an accidental explorer into an active, responsible participant in their own safety.
When to Start the Conversation
You don't need a single, formal lecture. Medicine safety education should be a series of small, age appropriate chats integrated into everyday life.
Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2–5)
Focus on simple rules and vocabulary, not complex biology. This stage is all about establishing boundaries:
Rules: Everything in the medicine cupboard is "Adult's Only". It's only for use by grown-ups or with supervision, just like tools or scissors.
The "Look" Test: Point out the difference between medicine and sweets. Explain that medicine can sometimes look like sweets, but it is not food. If a trusted grown-up didn't give it to you, you never put it in your mouth.
Action: Encourage them to always "Ask a Grown-Up" first.
Primary Schoolers (Ages 6–9)
Children at this age are logical and can understand consequences and use. They can probably work out how to get into any cupboards, even with child locks so a physical barrier isn't enough. They are also old enough to be able to use some basic first aid themselves eg antiseptic cream, wipes and plasters, so educating them on correct use is more helpful than telling them to stay away. This is when you explain the why of medicine safety:
Utility: Explain that medicine is powerful. It’s a tool that helps when you’re sick, but only in the right dose. Too much, or the wrong kind, will hurt them.
The Power of Dosage: When you give them liquid medicine, let them see you measure it carefully. Explain that the tiny amount is powerful enough to help them. This visually reinforces that more is not better.
Real-Life Roleplay: Use scenarios like finding a pill on the floor (never touch it, tell a grown-up immediately) or what to do if a friend offers them a pill they found.
The Language of Safety
The language you use is important, especially when keeping the message non-judgemental and clear.
Avoid "Poison": While technically true, the word "poison" can be dramatic and scary. Use clearer, less alarming language like "It’s too strong," "It will make you very poorly," or "It’s not safe unless a doctor says so."
Be Consistent: If you call your child's multi-vitamin "medicine," they might think other colourful pills are equally safe. Try to refer to vitamins as health supplements or boosts to keep the clear distinction between prescription/ illness treatments and daily health products. They also need to understand that while vitamins are good for you, they too need to be taken in the correct dose as too much can be harmful.
Highlight Trusted Adults: Emphasise that any medicine they take must come from you, a doctor, a pharmacist or other trusted adults. This reinforces the boundary between personal autonomy and necessary parental oversight.
The Role of First Aid Kits
Using your newly organised first aid kit (as detailed in our related post about how to organise your medicine cabinet) can be a teaching opportunity.
Demystify: Let your primary school-aged child help put plasters or bandages back in the kit. It will help them see these items as tools to help, not mysterious dangers. This builds respect for the contents.
The Family Safety Plan: Include medicine safety discussions as part of your overall family safety plan (like fire escape routes). If you have other routines you teach your child, link medicine safety to those existing structures.
Addressing Peer Pressure and Teens
As children reach the age of ten and beyond, the focus should shift to peer safety and understanding over-the-counter medicine (OTC) risks. This conversation needs to be open and honest.
OTC Awareness: Explain that even common pain relief (like paracetamol or ibuprofen) is medicine that must be used carefully. Never take more than the packet says, and never share medication with friends, even if they have the same symptoms. They wont always know the medical history of their friends to know whether something they take is ok for their friend.
Hidden Dangers: Discuss the importance of never taking anything given to them by a friend or acquaintance, especially at a party or social gathering.
For in-depth, trustworthy information on drug safety for teenagers and young adults, the FRANK website is an excellent resource for parents and children.
Starting these conversations early and keeping them open and honest ensures that your child develops a lifelong, healthy respect for the power of medicine.
