​Where to store medications​

According to the CDC, how and where you keep your medication can make a big difference when it comes to medication safety. Every year, two million people end up in the hospital due to drug-related injuries. This might include medication errors, adverse drug reactions, allergic reactions, or overdoses.

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Safe and secure storage of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine can help avoid accidental injuries including poisoning, misuse, and abuse.

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How to store medications safely​

1. Get organized.  Check to see if any of your prescription or over-the-counter medicines are expired, since taking expired medication may not be safe or effective. Make sure your prescription medicine is stored in the original packaging with the safety lock tightened and secured.​

2. Secure your medications.  Keep prescription and over-the-counter medicine in a place out of reach of children and pets.  Prescription narcotics, or any medication that may be abused, should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or safe.  Safe storage of these medications is especially important as they can be dangerous if taken when not prescribed or if they are taken in larger amounts than what was prescribed or recommended.

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How to safely dispose of medications​

Unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications should be disposed of as soon as possible.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications should NOT be flushed down the toilet or drain unless the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs you to do so.

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Unwanted or expired prescription medications may be disposed of in the following ways:

1. Through drug take-back events which are held at least once a year in Huron County.  These events are promoted through the Board's Facebook page.

2. By using Dispose Rx drug deactivation pouches which are available for pick up at the Board's office located at 2 Oak Street in Norwalk.  These pouches are free to Huron County residents.  To learn more about Dispose Rx, click HERE.

3. By using Deterra drug deactivation pouches which may be picked up at Huron County Public Health's vending machine, located outside of their office at 28 Executive Drive in Norwalk.  To learn more about Deterra, click HERE.

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References:

https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/prescriptionsafety.html

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-06/documents/how-to-dispose-medicines.pdf