Natalie, a health educator at the Bear River Health Department, shares some great advice about medication safety.
Medication Safety: Three Simple Steps to Protect Your Family and Community
Medications are part of nearly everyone’s life. Whether it’s a prescription from your doctor or something you picked up over the counter, chances are you or someone you know has medicine in the home.
While medications can help us heal and stay healthy, they can also be harmful if misused. That’s why practicing medication safety is so important—not just for you, but for your family and your community.
At the Bear River Health Department, we encourage everyone to remember three key steps:
1. Use Medications Only as Directed
If your name isn’t on the prescription bottle, it’s not for you.
- Follow the instructions exactly. If it says “take twice daily,” don’t take more. If it’s “as needed,” only take it when necessary.
- Don’t share medications. Even if someone has symptoms similar to yours, their body may react differently. They could have allergies, be taking other medications that could interact badly, or have underlying health conditions. Sharing medication can also increase the risk of addiction.
2. Store Medications Safely
Keep medicines out of reach of children and away from anyone who could misuse them—accidentally or on purpose.
- Store them in a locked cabinet or other secure location.
- Keep them in their original containers with the labels intact.
3. Dispose of Medications Properly
Flushing medications or pouring them down the drain can harm our water systems. Instead, use a safe disposal method:
- Medication drop boxes are available throughout our community. These secure boxes ensure that unused or expired medications are destroyed safely.
- You can find a list of local drop box locations by clicking on the button below:
Additional Resources
The Bear River Health Department offers more than just disposal locations. We also provide (click on the button for more information):
Safe medication use protects you, your loved ones, and our community. Follow directions, store securely, and dispose of medicines properly.