Poison prevention
Lock medicines away from children
Return every medicine to a locked cabinet immediately after use, keep the original label, and never leave it in a handbag or on a table.
Why it matters
Tablets and liquids may look like sweets or drinks. A child-resistant cap can slow a child down but is not child-proof.
Wrong action
Leaving medicine in a handbag, beside a bed, on a dining table, or on a shelf a child can climb to.
Correct action
Close the original container after use and return it immediately to a locked cabinet out of children's sight.
What to do
- Keep every medicine in its original labelled container.
- Count and put medicines away immediately after giving or taking a dose.
- Lock the cabinet and keep its key out of children's reach.
If something happens
For suspected medicine ingestion, do not induce vomiting. Keep the package and seek medical help immediately; call 999 for drowsiness, seizure, or breathing difficulty.
Sources and review
- Centre for Health Protection — Keeping Children Safe from Unintentional Poisoning in the Home
Source checked: 2026-08-20
This page provides general home-safety information and does not replace medical, legal, electrical, or other professional advice.
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