January 15, 2018
Keeping our pets safe
For most of us, our pets are our most prized possession. They are a part of the family, they travel with us, and they sometimes even sleep and eat with us! Looking after a pet is a lot of responsibility, and there are many things to think about. All the sudden you have this little creature that is dependent on you, that needs constant feeding, grooming and caring! Amongst all this, you also need to think about your pet’s health and the hidden hazards that could be lying in your home. These are things that we wouldn’t even think about but are simple fixes to ensure our furry friends are always happy and healthy.
One hazard that could be lurking in your home to your pet is your medicines that are lying around. There could be a chance that your medicine basket is within perfect reach to your animal or has the potential to end up in front of them. We all know that cats can jump high to get what they want and dogs might eat anything that is put in front of them! We need to ensure that our medicines are locked away, so that accidental poisoning doesn’t occur. We also shouldn’t stockpile medicines that we don’t need in our home, as this can lead to confusion. Medicines can also lose their effectiveness or become toxic after their expiry date.
If you or your pet has any unwanted or expired medicines, you should return them to your local pharmacy to be disposed of. The RUM initiative is a free and convenient way to dispose of your medicines!
The correct way to dispose of medicines properly is to follow the three simple steps of:
READ: Go to the areas in your home where you store medicines. Read the labels, check expiry dates and review all medicines. Consider whether you actually need them.
REMOVE: Remove all expired and unwanted medicines from your home medicine area and place them in a bag or container. If the medicine comes in a cardboard box, that can be recycled separately.
RETURN: Return your expired and unwanted medicines to your local pharmacy. Your pharmacist will put them in a secure bin for safe disposal. Prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, herbal or complementary supplements, gels, liquids, creams and veterinary medicines can all be disposed of in a designated The RUM Project bin.
Following these simple steps can ensure that your furry friend is always safe in your home!
The Return of Unwanted Medicines Project is a free service that offers a way to dispose of unwanted or expired medicines safely and conveniently at your local community pharmacy. Find out more about the service here.