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Nadine Wimmer Reporting A simple mistake involving medicine lids could've proved disastrous for a Layton family.
A lot of people might assume all medications come in child-proof containers. Cody Killian, a dad in Layton, did. He shared his close call in order to help other families Stay Safe.
Cody Killian: "I grabbed the pill bottle and I went to give it to her and the cap just came off."
His wife needed serious pain meds to help with complications from child birth. With demands of a new baby, and other young children, they didn't notice the bottles on the counter weren't childproof.
Cody Killian: "When I came home and saw that we had caps on the medicine bottle that came right off, and one of the prescriptions was Lortab, it just made me sick."
And with good reason. It took all of a few seconds for chubby fingers to pry into the now empty bottle.
"One of my kids could've gotten these pills because of a mistake."
The pharmacist delivered replacements. But it's not an uncommon problem. With the growing senior population-- many who don't want childproof lids-- the possibility for errors grows.
One pharmacist welcomes a second line of defense.
Brenda Lawlor/ Pharmacist: "What I would really like to see more of is people checking their meds here at the counter when they get their medications."
Many pharmacists go through checklists for each prescription. Ideally, they show customers the medicine and answer questions. But that doesn't always happen.
"These are important things here, but there's a time factor. You've got a line up of people, you're not going to take time to open the bottles and talk to them."
Both agree, more awareness at the counter could prevent problems once the medicine is home.
"That's going to save a tragedy."
To Stay Safe,:
-Verify your lid is childproof, if that's what you want.
-Always check for the right medicine
--Make sure grandparents' medications are stored properly.
If you have an experience that could be a lesson for Staying Safe, send it in.
