Painkillers Should Not Be Kept Within Reach of Small Children

Most homes carry some type of pain relievers. More specifically, opioids like hydrocodone and codeine are common across the country. Unfortunately, these medicines aren’t always kept out of the reach of small children.  Roughly a third of adults store prescription opioid mediation in cabinets with locks. Less than 10 percent of adults with kids and teenagers recall storing these substances properly.  Researchers have noted a near doubling of hospitalization rates for issues related to medicine over the past few decades. While some parents may feel that they know their children well enough to pass on locking up these substances, the prevalence of these medicines in the home warrants safe and secure storage.  A survey conducted with adults who consume these medicines relievers within the past year and who had kids in the home revealed that a third of those with children under 7 said they secured their medicine. That number was slashed by roughly two-thirds when it comes to households with teens, and less than one-third of families with both kids and teens used lockable storage for their medicine. Adults with young kids were usually more concerned about the medicine being accessed, while those with teens were less likely to view this as a concern.  The use of this medication has skyrocketed in the US in recent years, with most opioid medication being used for post-surgery pain.