TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - All those medicines meant to make us feel
better can be deadly if they end up in the hands of children.
Dr. Randy Schumacher with PediatricCare in Topeka says the CDC
estimates 60,000 children under age 18 end up in the emergency
room every year because of accidentally ingesting medications,
be it prescription or over the counter. Schumacher says the
accidents might happen for any of several reasons. For example,
parents might pretend medicine is candy to convince children to
take it when needed, so they then might think an adults
medicines on the counter are a treat instead of a danger. The
CDC and the group 'Protect' teamed up on a special web site to
remind parents to put medications up and away and out of sight.
It includes helpful tips, not just about your own home, but also
for houseguests or when you go somewhere to visit. Schumacher
says grandparents might leave their daily medications out on the
counter for easy access or a visitor might leave their purse on
the floor, the medic