Improperly Stored Medication at Daycare
Improperly stored medications pose a real threat to young children. At daycares, if there is medication on hand – whether it belongs to a caregiver or another child, it is required, by law, to be safely stored away from children. Since kids' bodies are so small, one adult-sized dose of medication can result in an overdose and have catastrophic effects.
Even more, a child ingesting multiple doses of adult medication can result in death. This can happen with a variety of prescription and nonprescription drugs that may be present at a daycare for several reasons, like:
- Prescription sleep-aids
- Pain relievers
- Cough and cold medicines
- And Blood thinners
How Should Daycares Prevent Medication Injuries
According to the CDC, 1 out of every 150 two-year-olds are treated for an overdose each year, and over 90% of the emergency visits for medication overdoses among children under 5 are because kids got into medication without caregiver oversight.
So, you may be wondering:
What should daycares be doing to prevent kids from getting access to medication? Well, they must always keep it out of reach of children or in locked storage. If your child ingested medication because of improper storage practices at daycare, it’s important that you get help immediately.
First, make sure you take your child to the emergency room.
Second, make sure you report the incident to the state agencies.
And third, you should download our free 5-step guide about what to do after a daycare injury. It’s linked here.
How to Contact Us After Your Child Has Suffered a Medication Injury at Daycare
These incidents are completely preventable and should never happen. Contact our attorneys at The Button Law Firm today. We’re here to help you and your family keep moving forward.