Every year, more than 58,000 children under five end up in the emergency room because they got into medicine that wasn’t meant for them. And in nearly four out of ten cases, the medicine came from a grandparent’s purse, nightstand, or kitchen counter. It’s not because grandparents are careless-it’s because they don’t realize how easily a curious toddler can reach for a bottle labeled "vitamins" or find pills tucked into a coat pocket. The truth is, most grandparents are doing their best. But when you’re taking four or five medications a day, it’s easy to forget that what’s safe for you isn’t safe for your grandchild.
Why Grandparents Are at the Center of This Problem
Grandparents are more likely to be on multiple medications than parents. Nearly 74% of grandparents who regularly care for grandchildren take at least one prescription daily-compared to just 42% of parents aged 30 to 49. On average, they’re managing 4.7 medications each day. That’s a lot of bottles, a lot of pill sorters, and a lot of places where medicine can end up within a child’s reach.
And here’s the kicker: 29% of grandparents transfer pills out of child-resistant containers into weekly pill boxes, glass jars, or snack bags because the original caps are hard to open. That’s not laziness-it’s arthritis, poor eyesight, or frustration. But it turns a safety feature into a deadly risk. One study found that 30% of 4-year-olds can open child-resistant caps in under five minutes. If the cap is gone, the lock is gone too.
Even more concerning? 12% of caregiving grandparents keep their meds on their nightstand or dresser. Another 31% keep them in purses or handbags. That means when a grandchild visits, they’re not just playing with toys-they’re exploring a pharmacy.
What Works: The PROTECT Campaign and Real Results
In 2010, the CDC and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association launched the "Up & Away and Out of Sight" campaign. It wasn’t just another pamphlet. It was a targeted, 15-minute conversation with grandparents-no blame, no shame, just clear, practical steps.
The results? After one session, safe storage jumped from 39% to 78% in just a few months. That’s not a small win. That’s life-saving change.
Here’s what they taught grandparents to do:
- Keep all medicines-prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, supplements-in a locked cabinet, at least 4 feet off the ground.
- Never leave meds on counters, nightstands, or in purses-even for a minute.
- Use the original containers with child-resistant caps. Don’t transfer pills to pill boxes unless they’re locked too.
- Dispose of expired or unused meds safely-don’t flush them, don’t toss them in the trash. Take them to a pharmacy drop-off.
The key? They didn’t say, "You’re doing it wrong." They said, "Let’s make sure our grandkids stay safe." That shift in tone made all the difference. Grandparents responded better when they felt like partners, not problems.
How to Talk to Grandparents Without Making Them Feel Judged
One of the biggest barriers? Pride. Many grandparents feel insulted when someone suggests their home isn’t safe. One grandma on Reddit shared how her husband called a lockbox "an insult." Another said, "I’ve raised three kids-I know how to keep things safe."
So how do you bring it up?
Start with empathy. Say something like:
- "I know you’ve always been so careful with everything. I just want to make sure we’re both doing everything we can to keep the kids safe when they’re here."
- "I read that kids can open pill bottles faster than we think-would you be open to trying a simple lockbox? It’s just one extra step, and it gives us all peace of mind."
- "I’ve got a free lockbox from the pharmacy. Want one for your place too?"
Offer help, not criticism. Bring the lockbox yourself. Help them put it up. Show them how it works. Make it a team effort.
Make It a Family Habit
The best safety plans don’t rely on memory. They rely on routine.
Here’s how families are making it stick:
- Keep a printed list of all medications your grandchild takes (and which ones are in your home) and post it on the fridge.
- Have a quick "medicine safety talk" every time the grandkids visit: "Medicine is not candy. Only grown-ups give medicine. If you find medicine, tell an adult right away."
- Let kids help. Give them a coloring sheet with pictures of locked cabinets and medicine bottles. Let them draw a "medicine safe zone" in your home.
- Set up a weekly check-in with your child: "Where are the meds stored now? Any changes?"
One family started a tradition: every time their grandchild visited, they’d all sit down together and check the lockbox. The kid would say, "I’m checking for medicine!" and the grandparents would laugh-and remember.
What to Do When Grandparents Resist
Some grandparents will push back. That’s normal. Don’t argue. Instead:
- Ask them what they’re worried about. Maybe they’re afraid the lockbox will be too hard to open themselves. Offer a key-lock box instead.
- Point out that it’s not about them-it’s about the next grandchild who might visit. "What if your neighbor’s grandkid came over? Would you want them to find your pills?"
- Use a trusted third party. A pharmacist, doctor, or even a grandchild’s pediatrician can say, "We see a lot of kids getting into meds at grandparents’ houses. Here’s what we recommend."
And if mobility is an issue? Install a lockbox on the wall near their favorite chair. Use a magnetic lock that doesn’t require lifting. There are low-cost options designed for people with arthritis.
Resources That Actually Help
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Here are real, free, and easy-to-use tools:
- "Up & Away and Out of Sight" - Free downloadable posters, videos, and tip sheets from the CDC and Consumer Healthcare Products Association. Available in Spanish, Chinese, and other languages.
- Pharmacy lockbox programs - Many pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) give away free lockboxes to seniors who ask. Just say, "I care for young grandchildren-can I get a safety box?"
- Medication disposal sites - Find your nearest drop-off location at DEA.gov. No prescription needed.
- GRAND SAFE App - A free NIH-backed app that sends gentle reminders to grandparents before visits: "Don’t forget your medicine lockbox!"
Some communities even have "Grandparent Safety Visits"-a trained nurse comes to the home, checks the medicine storage, and leaves behind a kit. It’s free through local health departments.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters Beyond One Visit
This isn’t just about avoiding an ER trip. It’s about trust. It’s about letting grandparents keep doing what they love-caring for their grandkids-without fear. When a grandparent knows their home is safe, they relax. They play. They hug. They cook. And the kids get more time with the people who love them most.
And the numbers show it works. In communities where pharmacies and senior centers partnered on this, safe storage rates jumped from 41% to 79% in six months. That’s over 1,000 homes made safer-not because of laws, but because of conversations.
Medicine safety isn’t about perfect homes. It’s about small, consistent steps. A locked box. A conversation. A reminder. One grandparent at a time.
What to Do Today
You don’t need to wait for a crisis. Here’s your simple 3-step plan:
- Check your own home. Are any meds on nightstands, in purses, or out of original containers? Move them to a locked cabinet now.
- Call your grandchild’s parent and say: "I want to make sure we’re both doing everything we can. Can we talk about where meds are stored?"
- Go to your pharmacy and ask for a free lockbox. Take one for yourself and one for your grandparent.
That’s it. No big speeches. No guilt. Just action.
Why do so many pediatric poisonings involve grandparents?
Grandparents are more likely to take multiple medications daily-on average, 4.7 prescriptions-compared to parents. Many store meds in convenient places like nightstands or purses, and 29% transfer pills into non-childproof containers like pill sorters. Children are naturally curious and can open child-resistant caps faster than most adults realize-30% of 4-year-olds can do it in under five minutes.
Is child-resistant packaging enough to keep kids safe?
No. Child-resistant caps are designed to slow down kids-not stop them. Testing shows 30% of 4-year-olds can open them within five minutes. When pills are moved to easy-open containers like weekly pill boxes, glass jars, or snack bags, the protection disappears completely. The only reliable method is storing medicine in a locked cabinet out of reach and sight.
How can I talk to my grandparent about medicine safety without offending them?
Focus on teamwork, not blame. Say things like, "I know you’ve always been careful-I just want to make sure we’re both doing everything we can to keep the kids safe." Offer help: bring a free lockbox from the pharmacy, help them install it, or suggest a quick "medicine safety talk" with the grandkids. Frame it as a family habit, not a correction.
Are there free resources to help grandparents store medicine safely?
Yes. Many pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid give away free lockboxes to seniors who care for young children. The CDC’s "Up & Away and Out of Sight" campaign offers free posters, videos, and tip sheets in multiple languages. Local health departments sometimes offer free home safety visits for grandparents. All of these are available at no cost.
What should I do if my grandparent refuses to change their habits?
Don’t force it. Try a different approach: ask them what they’re worried about. Maybe they think the lockbox is too hard to open-offer a key-lock instead. Bring a grandchild’s pediatrician into the conversation. Sometimes hearing it from a doctor makes a difference. You can also create a "safe zone" in your own home and limit visits to that area until the home is safer. Small steps still matter.
How often should I check on medicine storage in my grandparent’s home?
Check in every time the grandkids visit, or at least once every 3 months. Medications change-new prescriptions, old ones get thrown out, pill sorters get refilled. Make it part of your routine: "Let’s check the lockbox together," or "Did you take your meds today? Where did you put the bottle?" Consistency builds safety.
What Comes Next
If you’ve made one change today-moved a bottle, asked a question, picked up a lockbox-you’ve already made a difference. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s presence. It’s knowing that the people who love your child most are also protected from making a mistake that could change everything.
Medicine safety isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a habit. And habits grow when families talk about them-quietly, kindly, together.