Safely Storing And Getting Rid Of Medicines

Your medicine works to help you feel better.

But the medicine is just for you.

In the wrong hands, that same medicine can be dangerous.

[Man 1]: "We don't have kids at home, so we kept Mary's pills right out on the kitchen counter.

Our friend Sherry comes over once or twice a week.

We play games or have coffee.

Mary keeps track of how many pills she takes.

That's how she noticed that a few pills were missing after each of Sherry's visits."

It's important to protect others from risk by storing medicines in a safe and secure place.

[Woman 1]: "It was one of those times when it was just too quiet in the house.

I got up from working and found my 4-year-old sitting on the floor, trying to open one of my prescription meds.

Luckily, the bottle had a safety cap.

But now I also lock my medicine cabinet."

Opioids in the house are especially dangerous for children and pets.

For example, an opioid patch still has a high dose of medicine in it, even when you're done with it.

[Man 2]: "Our dog will go through the garbage any chance he gets.

That's why we went to the FDA's website to find out how to throw away our used and unused medicines.

We were especially worried about the opioid patches we had."

To learn more about how to safely throw away medicines, visit fda.gov and search for "unused medicine disposal."

It's your medicine, and it's your job to protect others.

Lock it away, out of reach, and out of sight.

And when you're done, take care to get rid of it safely.