When spring rolls around each year, many take it as an opportunity to do spring cleaning; which often times includes going through old things that we don’t use or wear anymore. One place that you should include on your cleaning list is the medicine cabinet. It’s a spot that we tend to forget about but is good to visit on occasion, and remove any outdated or potentially unsafe items that we no longer need. Here is a list of tips to help you get started:
- Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
- Clean out your medicine cabinet twice a year.
- Keep your medicine in the original bottle.
- Do not mix different pills in one container.
- Remove the cotton from inside the bottle. It can draw moisture.
- Store all medicines in a cool and dry place. One of the worst places to store medicines is in the bathroom.
- Don’t store medicine in the refrigerator unless the label tells you to.
- Don’t store medicine in the glove compartment or the trunk of your car when you are traveling.
- Throw out all medicines that are past their expiration date. If you are unsure of the expiration date, throw the medicine out. Return medications to Area 1 police station at 40 New Sudbury St.
- Throw out any medicine that is in a damaged container.
- Throw out any medicine that looks or smells different from when you first used it.
- Throw out any Ipecac Syrup that you might have. It is no longer recommended as a home remedy.
- Check sunscreen for an expiration date. If there is no date, the active ingredients are good for three years. If the sunscreen looks lumpy, smells funny or has a different color than when first used, throw it out. Sunscreen should be stored in a dry spot with the lid tightly closed.
- Call 311 if you find a dirty needle.
This information provided courtesy of NorthEndWaterfront Health.
