Safe storage is one of the simplest steps we can take to reduce risk at home, but it is not only about protecting young children. Medicines, household chemicals, cannabis and nicotine products, supplements and other everyday items can pose risks to people of all ages when they are stored or used incorrectly.
We are pleased to have Danielle R. Bartsche, a health educator with the New Jersey Poison Control Center, share practical guidance for making safe storage work in every household. Danielle explains how location, access and organization can help create a safer home while emphasizing that storage must also be practical and accessible for the people who rely on these products. We thank Danielle for sharing these important reminders and highlighting the New Jersey Poison Control Center as a resource for everyone.
Learn more at NJHealthyAging.com
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Safe Storage Is for Everyone:
Simple Steps to Prevent Poisonings at Home
by Danielle R. Bartsche, MPH, BS, CHES
Health Educator | NJ Poison Center (NJPIES)
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
When we hear “Poison Control” or “safe storage,” many of us immediately think of babyproofing—putting a lock on the cabinet under the sink or keeping something out of reach of a curious toddler. While protecting young children remains an important part of poison prevention, poisoning is not just a childhood concern and safe storage is about protecting people at every stage of life.
The New Jersey Poison Control Center is a resource for everyone! The medical professionals (doctors, pharmacists, nurses) at the NJ Poison Control Center help with much more than kids getting into the cleaners under the sink. They assist with exposures involving medicines, household products, chemicals, cannabis and nicotine products, supplements, dosing mistakes, interactions and many other everyday situations.
Many everyday products can cause harm if used in the wrong way, in the wrong amount or by the wrong person. That is why safe storage should not be thought of simply as “putting dangerous things away.” It is about creating an environment that reduces the chance of mistakes and makes everyday use safer for everyone.
Think Location, Access, and Organization
Location: Keep potentially harmful products in a safe, designated place. Avoid leaving them on counters, tables, nightstands, or near food and other everyday items.
Access: Think about everyone who may be in your home, including children, grandchildren, visitors, and pets. Products that could cause serious harm should be kept out of reach or secured when appropriate.
Organization: Keep products in their original, labeled containers whenever possible and clearly separate items by person and purpose. Reducing clutter can also help prevent mix-ups and other mistakes.
Make Safe Storage Work for You
There is no single storage system that works for every household. Safe storage should be accessible, simple, and tailored to the individual.
We often hear that potentially dangerous products should be kept out of reach or locked away. While limiting access is important, the safest storage option is not always the least accessible one. If the person who needs an item cannot safely reach, open or use it—or has to climb, stretch, struggle with a container, or create an unsafe workaround to access it—the storage solution may create a different kind of risk.
Consider the needs of the people in your home. Arthritis or limited hand strength, mobility challenges, vision or memory changes and even the layout of a living space can affect what safe storage looks like. The safest system is one that can be used easily and consistently every day.
A secure storage box or bag, designated cabinet, large-print labels, visual cues or simply creating one clutter-free “safe zone” can make a difference. The goal is to reduce risk without creating new barriers.
Most importantly, safe storage should become a habit. Take a few minutes to look around your home and consider what is within reach, what could be mistaken for something else and what might be safer in a different location.
Small changes can prevent serious exposures and help protect family members, visitors and pets.
If an exposure or mistake happens—or you simply aren't sure whether something could be harmful—don't guess.
The New Jersey Poison Control Center is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-222-1222.