Health officials encouraging caution when taking medications at home

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Health care officials are encouraging people to take a cautious approach with medications at home.

The National Poison Prevention Week starts is the third week in March annually. More than two million poisonings are reported each year to the country's poison control centers. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, 93% of poisonings happen at home, and 45% of poisonings involve children younger than 6 years old.

Kentucky Poison Control Center of Norton Children's reports that 65% of its calls in 2023 involved prescriptions, over-the-counter medications or supplements. Maria Chapman with Kentucky Poison Control Center of Norton Children's said people should treat over-the-counter medications and vitamins as prescriptions.

"Storing them up and out of reach of children, keeping them in the original child resistant containers," Chapman said. "Even if it’s in a blister pack, keep it in the original container so you know what it is you have there, and then just having a system for giving a medication to kids."

Chapman said supplements ranked in the top five calls for children five and younger last year. Common mistakes included accidentally taking too much of a medication or taking the wrong medication, according to news release.

Kentucky Poison Control Center of Norton Children's responded to more than 34,000 cases in 2023.

U.S. Congress established National Poison Prevention Week in 1961 to raises awareness, reduce unintentional poisonings and promote prevention.

In case of a poison emergency, contact a local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Parents interested in learning about safe ways to store medications at home can attend a class led by Norton Children's. To register for the virtual class on March 18 from 6 to 7 p.m., click here.