Medicine safety — Wellbeing, 4–6 years
Medicine can help when we are ill, but it is not a sweet or a toy. A trusted adult must choose and give it, following the label or a health professional’s instructions.
Only with an adult
Medicine is something made to help with a particular health problem, such as pain or an infection. It must be taken only when an adult gives it to you and says what it is for. Never take a pill, syrup or cream because it looks like a sweet, smells nice or belongs to someone else.
Why adults check
The right medicine can help, but the wrong medicine or amount can make someone ill. This problem is why medicines come with labels, measuring tools and instructions from doctors or pharmacists. Adults check the name, amount and time because a medicine that helps one person may not be safe for another.
A cough syrup
Noah has a cough, and an adult decides to use the syrup recommended for him. The adult reads the label, checks that it is Noah’s medicine and measures the stated amount with the supplied cup. Noah takes it only when the adult gives it to him, then the bottle is closed and put away. Noah does not share it with his sister.
The sweet-looking mistake
A child may reach for a colourful tablet because it looks like a sweet. That is a reasonable mistake: sweets are colourful, and medicine can have a pleasant smell or flavour. But medicine is measured for a health problem, not chosen by appearance. Stop, do not taste it, and tell an adult immediately if you find medicine.
Where it helps
This rule matters with tablets, capsules, syrups, creams, drops and inhalers at home or while travelling. It also matters when a friend offers you something or when medicine is left on a table. Keep medicines in their proper place, and tell an adult if you have taken or touched one by accident.
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