POISON: National Poison Prevention Week starts on Sunday, and Safe Kids Pennsylvania is reminding people that medicine can be hazardous to children. Here are a few tips to keep children safe:

Child-Resistant vs. Child-Proof. While a child-resistant medicine container can slow down a child working to open it, it is not childproof.

Where Medicine is Stored vs. Where Medicine is Kept. Most families have a safe place in the home where they store medicine they don’t use every day, but they may keep often-used medicine easily accessible — for both themselves, and their children. Kids are getting into medicine in purses, in nightstands, on counters, in drawers – places kids are drawn to explore.

What You Think Your Kid Can Do vs. What Your Kid Can Do. Every caregiver knows that “oh!” moment when their child does something for the first time. It may be a proud moment, or it may be a frightening wakeup call. Stories about kids getting into medicine often start with that moment of surprise, “I didn’t know my child could reach up there!”

Candy vs. Medicine. To a little explorer, candy and medicine can look alike, so it is especially important to keep all medicines and vitamins out of children’s reach and sight.

Your Home vs. Their Home. Now that you have your household medicines stored safely, be on the alert for medicines visitors bring in, or medicines in homes you are visiting.

Remember to keep medicine out of children’s reach and sight. Choose child-resistant packaging when possible. Use reminders to keep track of medicine instead of keeping it in view.

Save the Poison Help number and post it visibly in your home for caregivers: 1-800-222-1222. Specialists at poison control centers provide free, confidential, expert medical advice 24 hours a day. They help with poison emergencies and can also answer questions about medicine safety.