How to Involve Grandparents and Caregivers in Pediatric Medication Safety

Every year, over 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 4 out of 10 of those cases, the medicine came from a grandparent’s purse, nightstand, or kitchen counter. This isn’t about bad parenting or careless seniors-it’s about a system that never taught grandparents how to keep medicines out of reach, even when they’re doing everything else right.

Why Grandparents Are at the Center of This Problem

Grandparents are more involved in childcare than ever. One in eight U.S. children lives with a grandparent, and many of them take daily prescriptions. On average, caregiving grandparents manage 4.7 medications each-compared to just 2.1 for parents in their 30s and 40s. That’s a lot of pills. And most of them are stored where kids can reach them: on the nightstand, in a purse, or in a drawer next to the cereal box.

It’s not that grandparents don’t care. In fact, 87% say they’re deeply worried about their grandkids’ safety. But they’ve been told for decades that child-resistant caps are enough. They don’t know that 30% of 4-year-olds can open them in under five minutes. They don’t realize that transferring pills into a weekly pill organizer makes them look like candy to a curious toddler. And they rarely get clear instructions from doctors or pharmacists.

The Real Danger: Where Medicine Is Stored

Here’s what’s actually happening in homes where grandparents care for kids:

• 29% keep medicines in non-childproof containers like pill organizers
• 12% leave prescriptions on bedroom nightstands or dressers
• 31% carry meds in purses or bags during visits
• Only 22% use locked storage, compared to 58% of parents

Bathroom cabinets? That’s a common mistake. Kids climb. They open cabinets. They pull things down. Kitchen counters? That’s where snacks are. Medicine looks like candy there. And purses? A grandparent’s handbag is a treasure chest to a toddler. One mom shared how her 2-year-old found her grandmother’s blood pressure pills in a purse-thankfully caught before swallowing. That’s a near-miss. And there are thousands like it.

What Works: The PROTECT Initiative 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 15-minute conversation with grandparents-simple, direct, and focused on their role as caregivers.

The results? After one session, safe storage jumped from 39% to 78%. That’s not a small change. That’s life-saving. The key? They didn’t say, “You’re doing it wrong.” They said, “Let’s keep our grandkids safe.”

They taught grandparents to:

• Store all medicines up high, in a locked cabinet
• Keep them in original containers with child-resistant caps
• Never leave pills in purses, bags, or nightstands
• Dispose of old or expired meds safely

They even gave out free lockboxes. And they didn’t assume everyone could use a smartphone. Print materials, visual guides, and in-person demos were part of the package.

How to Talk to Grandparents Without Making Them Feel Blamed

This is the hardest part. Many grandparents feel accused when someone says, “Don’t leave your meds out.” They’ve raised kids, raised grandkids, and never had a problem. Why now?

The trick is language. Instead of “You need to lock your meds,” say:

• “Let’s make sure the little ones stay safe when they visit.”
• “I know you’ve always been careful-let’s make sure we’re extra safe now.”
• “These caps aren’t foolproof. Even good parents get caught off guard.”

One grandmother on Reddit said she resisted at first. “My husband thought it was insulting.” But after her grandson climbed onto the counter and grabbed a bottle of children’s Tylenol, she changed her mind. Now she keeps everything in a locked box in the closet. She even tells her grandkids: “These are Grandma’s special vitamins. Only grown-ups can touch them.”

Make It a Family Routine

Safety isn’t just about storage-it’s about communication. Only 38% of families have a clear plan for who knows where the medicine is kept. That’s dangerous.

Start a simple routine:

1. Have a 5-minute chat with grandparents during their first visit of the season: “Where do you keep your meds?”
2. Offer to help them move meds to a locked cabinet or lockbox.
3. Ask if they’ve ever had a close call. Listen. Don’t judge.
4. Give them a fridge magnet with Poison Control’s number: 1-800-222-1222.

You can even turn it into a fun activity. Ask your grandkids to draw a picture of “medicine safety.” Hang it on the fridge. Make it part of the visit. Kids remember what they help create.

What Grandparents Can Do Right Now

You don’t need a fancy app or a doctor’s note. Here’s what to do today:

• Check every drawer, purse, nightstand, and cabinet in your home. Move all medicines-prescription, OTC, vitamins, supplements-to one locked spot.
• Keep everything in its original bottle. No more pill organizers for meds you take daily.
• Get a lockbox. They cost under $20. Many pharmacies give them out for free.
• Dispose of old meds properly. Take them to a pharmacy drop-off. Don’t flush them.
• Teach your grandkids: “Medicine is not candy. Only grown-ups give medicine. If you find it, tell an adult.”

Why This Isn’t Just About Grandparents

The problem isn’t going away. By 2040, 20% of the U.S. population will be over 65. More seniors. More meds. More kids living with grandparents. The numbers are rising fast.

And it’s not just grandparents. It’s any caregiver-nannies, aunts, uncles, neighbors-who watches kids while parents are at work. Everyone needs to know this. But grandparents are the biggest group with the highest risk.

The good news? Change is possible. AARP’s workshops raised safe storage from 41% to 79% in just six months. Community pharmacies that offer free lockboxes and quick safety talks see 72% of grandparents follow through.

What’s Missing-and What’s Coming

Right now, only 12% of Medicare plans offer medication safety counseling. Most grandparents never hear a word about it from their doctor. That’s changing. In 2023, the American Geriatrics Society added pediatric medication safety to its official guidelines for senior care. Doctors are now supposed to ask: “Do you care for young children? Let’s talk about your meds.”

New tools are coming too. The CDC launched a free digital toolkit with videos in multiple languages. A mobile app is being tested that sends reminders before holidays-when kids visit and risks spike.

But none of this matters unless we talk about it. Not in a clinic. Not in a pamphlet. In the kitchen, over coffee, while playing with grandkids.

Final Thought: It’s Not About Control. It’s About Love.

Grandparents don’t need to be perfect. They just need to know how to protect the ones they love. A locked box isn’t a sign of distrust. It’s a sign of care. A simple conversation isn’t nagging-it’s the most important thing you can do to keep a child safe.

You don’t need to be a doctor. You don’t need to buy expensive gear. Just lock it up. Talk about it. And never assume a child won’t reach for it.