Tips for Safe Storage of Medications

TIPS FOR SAFE STORAGE OF MEDICATIONS

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  • Keep medicine away from children and pets, out of sight and out of reach.
  • Keep medicines in a” Cool dry place “ away from direct light – for instance in a box that can be locked or a high shelf (the cabinet in the bathroom is not a good place to keep your medicines – it gets too damp and too warm which can affect the medicine).
  • Keep medicines in their original labelled container and keep the cap closed.
  • Do not store medicines with food or household products.
  • If more than1 person (or pets) in the house taking medications, store them in different spots and/or highlight the name on the bottle.

 

 

Tips for Safe Medication Disposal

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  • Clean out medicine cabinet at least once per year.
  • Bring old/expired or unused medications to pharmacy (or Neqotkuk Health Center) for safe disposal.
  • Expiry date is often printed on the label under “EXP” or stamped into the bottom of a bottle or carton or the crimp of a tube.
  • If no expiration date, if purchased more than  a year ago, best to discard.
  • To avoid water contamination please do not dispose of medications in toilet, sink or garbage.

 

 

Safe Sharps disposal

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  • To dispose of needles, lancets, syringes use a SHARPS container to reduce risk of needle-stick injury.
  • Sharps containers should also be kept out of reach from children and pets.
  • Please visit your local pharmacy(or Neqotkuk Health Center)
  • To pick up a free sharps container for safe disposal of needles, lancets, syringes.
  • To return full sharps containers (return when about ¾ full, do not overfill as this increases risk of needle stick injury).
  • ANY QUESTIONS CALL NEQOTKUK HEALTH CENTER AT 273-5430.
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