Medication Safety

​​​Understanding your Medication(s) 

• Try to learn the names of the medication(s) you take and know why you are taking them.
• Know what your medication looks like - colour and shape.
• Know how much to take, how often and how long to take your medication(s).
• Ask if there are side effects to your medication(s) and what you should do if you experience them.
• Make sure you know what to do if you miss a dose.
• Know if there are foods you should avoid while taking your medication(s) or special instructions for your medication (e.g., take at bedtime or with meals).

Storing Your Medication(s)

• To avoid confusion, keep all of your prescription medications in their original container with the cap closed.
• Be aware of special storage instructions (e.g. refrigerate, store in a dry, cool place away from sunlight), and keep them out of reach of children and pets by putting them on a shelf or in a cupboard. Lock-up any narcotic pain medication.

Staying Organized

•  Use a medication record book to keep a list of all your medication(s) and record any allergies.
• Take your medical list with you every time you visit your care provider or pharmacist.
• It is important to speak up if you think you are about to receive, or have received, the wrong medication from the pharmacy.

 For more information on Safety in the home go to: 

For a copy of our community newsletter on medication safety, falls prevention and medscheck - click here

We invite you to give feedback to our Safe at Home resource and share one of your safety tips.