When was the last time you checked your medication/ health supplies cabinet? Now is the time to do that, If you haven’t

 (You can scroll straight down to checklist or read more details)

I usually check mine on Labor day (1st week of September). 

Many people consider Labor day the ‘unofficial end of summer’ even though it isn’t.

Most children start returning back to school and with back to schools, the spread of viruses and viral illnesses start to pick up as kids mingle with other kids. Even though back to school is different this year, still likely to be some spread of viruses.

I chose the Labor day holiday to make it easier for me to remember every year. I  go through and update my medication checklist.

Here’s why I check:

1. Get rid of all my expired medications: 
   • If my kids didn’t get any summer injuries, they likely didn’t need any pain meds. That means I may have some expired meds. 

Mom truth: I had expired fever medications and realized it after I gave my daughter a dose and she didn’t feel better. Luckily according to poison control, many drugs are probably effective after that date, but are not tested to be sure, so discard them immediately. 

 2. Summer injuries versus Fall/Winter viruses 

• When the weather changes, the prevalent illness or injury in ours kids change too. We may have needed more bandages, ice and ointment for the summer but now we need something to help with the recurrent colds we are about to set in.

  3. Refill medication: 

• As an ED Pediatrician, I already know we get busier in the winter; and that means my daughter’s pediatrician’s office will be too. But checking my medication kit, helps me request for refills early so I don’t run out or have any flare ups requiring emergent requests 

 4. Adjust medications by weight 

•  I think my kids grow the most in summer (maybe yours do too). So I get their Pediatrician to adjust their meds by age. This is definitely recommended for all kids but especially kids with daily medications