Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Healthwatch, we've been talking about some health issues that affect older adults. The older people get, the more medications it seems they have to take. But the way you store your medications could have serious consequences.
When you have to take a number of pills every day, it's easier to keep track of them when you sort them into days-of-the-week pill containers. Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center say you need to be careful about those containers if you have grandchildren or other youngsters visiting your home. Those daily pillboxes aren't childproof, so if they're left where children can get to them, it could lead to an accidental poisoning.
If you're not used to having children around, take a few minutes to look around your house and put medications where kids can't get to them before you have young visitors.
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March 2005
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