It is that time again. Time for a new year, time to get organized! Many people make New Year’s resolutions. Among the top resolutions are to lose weight or stop drinking or smoking. People like a fresh start in the New Year. It is cold outside, so it is a good time to stay indoors and get organized! Organize your drawers, your closets, and your kitchen. One thing you might not think about is organizing your medicine cabinet. Now is the time to clean it out, and also to make sure it is stocked with essentials that your family might need so you are prepared at the first sign of illness.
The first step to organizing your medicine cabinet is to clean it out! It is important to dispose of any expired or unneeded medications. It is also important to dispose of these medications safely. Many states have medication take back programs, which is the safest way to dispose of expired or unneeded prescription drugs. Check the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s website for information on these programs. If this is not available to you, flushing certain medications is recommended, check the FDA website for a list of these medications. Other expired medications can be disposed of in the trash, but it is always a good idea to take all personal information off of prescription bottles and also to dispose of medications mixed in with dog food or coffee grounds so that they will be hard for someone to accidentally ingest them.
Now is also a great time to make sure your cabinet is stocked with the essentials. You should have both children’s and adult acetaminophen and ibuprofen for fever reduction and pain relief. It is important to have Band-Aids in a variety of sizes, gauze pads, antibacterial ointment, hydrogen peroxide and adhesive tape for cuts and sores. Benadryl is a staple for allergic reactions, and should be stocked in both adult and children’s strength. It is a good idea to have Calamine lotion and Hydrocortisone cream for insect bites, skin rashes and skin irritations. Well-stocked medicine cabinets will also have insect repellent and sunscreen. For the adults in the family, it is a recommended to have a decongestant and cough suppressant so you are prepared in case you catch a cold or the flu.
Now is the time to get organized! Clean out and stock up and you will be prepared for whatever medical situation comes your way. Doesn’t that feel good?