Every household in New Zealand has medicines - from your daily blood pressure pill to your child’s cough syrup. But where you keep them could be putting lives at risk. Medication storage isn’t just about keeping things tidy. It’s about stopping a child from swallowing a whole bottle of pills, preventing a teenager from experimenting with painkillers, or protecting an elderly parent from taking the wrong dose. And it’s not as simple as putting things on a high shelf.
Why Your Bathroom Cabinet Is the Worst Place for Medicines
You’ve probably seen it: the medicine cabinet above the sink, filled with antibiotics, painkillers, and antihistamines. It looks convenient, right? But humidity from showers and baths can wreck your meds. According to MedlinePlus, 67% of common medications degrade within 30 days when stored in bathrooms with humidity over 80%. That means your insulin might not work. Your antidepressants could lose potency. Your asthma inhaler might sputter when you need it most. And it’s not just about effectiveness. Bathrooms are easy for kids to reach. Even if the cabinet is locked, many aren’t child-resistant enough. A 2023 study from Washington State found that 73% of accidental poisonings happened because medicines were left in unlocked cabinets, on countertops, or in purses. The bathroom? That’s where most people keep them.The Gold Standard: Locked, Cool, and Dry
The safest place for your medicines is a locked box, in a cool, dry spot. Not the kitchen. Not the car. Not the bedside table. A locked cabinet or drawer - ideally one that’s out of sight and out of reach - is the minimum standard. The EPA and FDA both agree: if it’s not locked, it’s not safe. Temperature matters too. Most pills should be kept between 68°F and 77°F (20°C-25°C). That’s room temperature in most homes. Avoid windowsills, garages, or near the oven. Heat and sunlight break down active ingredients. Insulin, liquid antibiotics, and some heart medications need refrigeration. But don’t store them in the fridge door - the temperature swings there can ruin them. Put them in the back, on a middle shelf, and keep them in a sealed container so they don’t pick up food odors.Locks, Safes, and Smart Solutions
You don’t need a fancy safe. A simple lockable medicine box costs as little as $20. Some even come with keys or combination locks. If you have a gun safe, fireproof document box, or locked filing cabinet - use it. In rural areas, 18% of households already do. That’s not just for guns. It’s for pills too. Newer options include digital dispensers with biometric locks. These devices only open for authorized users, track when someone takes a dose, and can even send alerts if a dose is missed. A 2022 University of Michigan report found they’re 78% effective at stopping unauthorized access. They’re pricier - up to $150 - but worth it if you have someone with dementia or a history of substance misuse in the home.What to Do After You Take a Pill
Here’s a mistake most people make: they leave the bottle out after giving a dose. That five-minute window - when the cap’s off, the pills are on the counter, and the spoon’s still in hand - is when 42% of child poisonings happen. That’s according to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics’ 2025 Parent’s Guide. Make it a habit: as soon as you finish, put it back. No exceptions. Even if you’re tired. Even if you’re in a rush. Even if you’re alone. That bottle belongs in the locked box. Always.
What About Grandparents’ Homes?
One in every two accidental poisonings involving children happens in a grandparent’s house. Why? Because grandparents often don’t realize how dangerous their medicine cabinet is. They might think, “I’m just keeping it on the counter so I can remember to take it.” But kids visit. Grandkids climb. And they don’t know the difference between candy and pills. If you’re a grandparent, or you visit one, ask: “Where do you keep your meds?” If the answer is “on the nightstand” or “in the drawer by the TV,” it’s time to change that. Bring a small lockbox with you. Or help them find one. It’s not about control. It’s about care.Don’t Fall for These Myths
Myth: “High shelves are enough.” Kids as young as 24 months can climb to reach 48-inch shelves. A 2023 Washington State report showed 48% of children under 3 could access meds stored this way. Myth: “Child-resistant caps protect everything.” They help - but they’re not foolproof. Half of all 5-year-olds can open them. That’s not a feature. That’s a failure. Myth: “I only keep a few pills. It’s not a big deal.” Even one pill can be deadly to a child. A single dose of fentanyl - sometimes found in leftover painkillers - can kill a toddler. And over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen can cause liver failure if too many are taken.What to Do with Old or Expired Medicines
Don’t flush them. Don’t throw them in the trash. Don’t pour them down the sink. These methods pollute waterways and can still be accessed by animals or people. Instead, find a take-back program. In New Zealand, pharmacies like Countdown, Priceline, and HealthPost offer free medicine disposal bins. You can drop off old antibiotics, unused painkillers, or expired vitamins. No questions asked. Some local councils also hold annual collection days. If no take-back option is nearby, mix pills with something unappetizing - coffee grounds, cat litter, or dirt - put them in a sealed bag, and throw them in the trash. Remove labels or scratch out personal info to protect your privacy.
Special Cases: Insulin, Opioids, and Mental Health Meds
Insulin needs to be refrigerated until opened. Once opened, it can last 28 days at room temperature - but still needs to be locked up. Store it away from food, in a labeled container. Opioids like oxycodone or codeine are especially dangerous. The EPA partnered with 7,200 pharmacies in 2023 to give free lockable containers with every opioid prescription. Use it. If you’re not using it anymore, drop it off at a pharmacy. Don’t keep it “just in case.” Antidepressants and anxiety meds can be lethal in overdose. Keep them locked. Even if the person taking them is an adult. Accidental overdoses happen when someone grabs the wrong bottle in the dark.How to Talk to Your Family About This
This isn’t about distrust. It’s about safety. Say it plainly: “I love you, and I don’t want anyone to get hurt by accident.” Show them the numbers. Tell them that 60,000 kids end up in emergency rooms every year in the U.S. alone - just from grabbing pills. Most of those cases are preventable. Make it part of your household routine. Like locking the door or turning off the stove. Put the medicine box in the same spot every day. Everyone knows where it is. Everyone knows it’s locked. No one has to ask.Final Check: Is Your Storage Safe?
Ask yourself these five questions:- Are all medicines - prescription, OTC, vitamins - kept in a locked container?
- Is the container stored away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight?
- Are child-resistant caps on all bottles, even if you think the child can’t reach them?
- Are expired or unused meds taken to a pharmacy for disposal?
- Do all adults in the home know where the meds are stored - and that they must be returned after use?
Can I store my medications in the kitchen?
Only if the kitchen is cool and dry - and you have a locked cabinet. Most kitchens are too warm near the stove or too humid near the sink. Avoid storing medicines above the fridge or near the dishwasher. A locked cupboard away from cooking areas is okay, but a bedroom drawer or closet is safer.
What if I have a child with special needs who needs quick access to meds?
In cases like epilepsy or severe allergies, some children need fast access to rescue meds like epinephrine or anti-seizure drugs. Work with your doctor to create a plan. Keep the emergency dose in a clearly labeled, easy-to-reach location - but still locked if possible. Use a lockbox with a quick-release mechanism, or store it in a bedside drawer with a simple lock that only caregivers can open. Always have a backup dose in your car or bag if you’re out.
Is it safe to keep medications in my purse or coat pocket?
No. Purses and coat pockets are the second most common source of accidental poisonings in children, after unlocked cabinets. Temperature swings, moisture, and being left on the floor or in a car make pills less effective - and easy for kids to find. If you need to carry meds, use a small locked case and return it to your safe storage spot as soon as you get home.
Do I need to keep all vitamins and supplements locked up?
Yes. Many people think vitamins are harmless. But iron supplements can be deadly to children. High doses of vitamin D or calcium can cause poisoning. Even gummy vitamins look like candy. Treat them the same as prescription drugs: lock them up. The same rules apply.
What should I do if my child swallows a pill?
Call your local poison control center immediately. In New Zealand, dial 0800 764 766 (Poison Control). Don’t wait for symptoms. Don’t try to make them vomit. Have the pill bottle ready - they’ll need the name, dose, and time taken. Keep the bottle even if it’s empty. Every second counts.
