In this third lesson of the OTC Medicine Safety program, students will practice pointing out information on the drug facts label and learn about measuring tools, where to store medicine, and how to safely dispose of it.
Grades
3–5, 6–8
Duration
40 MINUTES
Students will:
Step 1: Begin with a class discussion about the importance of using the right tools when measuring different things. Ask students:
Step 2: Encourage students to think about why accurate measurements are important. Ask:
Step 3: Ask students to think back to the previous lesson on Reading and Understanding the Drug Facts Label.
Discuss different information contained in the Directions section of the Drug Facts label (amount of medicine to take, how often to take the medicine, and how to take it). If you deem it appropriate, display the Over-the-Counter Medicine Safety Classroom Poster printable. Explain that students are going to learn why reading and understanding dosing instructions is important, and why medicines should always be measured using the proper dosing devices under adult supervision.
Step 4: Show students the different medicine bottles (filled with colored water) and measuring devices.
Step 5: Read the dosing information for the pediatric medicine. Then try to measure out the correct dose using the dosing devices that are not meant for the pediatric medicine. Reflect on the results. Next, measure out the dose using the correct dosing device. Discuss with the class why using the correct device is important.
Step 6: Repeat the activity with the adult medicine, but try to measure it out with devices that are too small for the correct dose. Reiterate the potential dangers of using the wrong device and why using the correct one is important.
Step 7: Show students a medicine bottle that recommends a dose of 2 teaspoons of medicine. Then take out a handful of different-size household spoons, the kind that students might find in their kitchen drawers at home. Measure out 2 spoonfuls of “medicine” into any of the spoons, pouring the measured liquid into a dosing cup that has an accurate measurement for 2 teaspoons. Discuss the discrepancy with the class.
Step 8: Distribute the Responsible Medicine Dosing printable. Have students complete the worksheet; this can either be done individually or you can lead the class and work through it together, discussing each example.
Step 9: Talk about how measuring doses incorrectly (measuring out tablespoons instead of teaspoons, for example) can cause an overdose or underdose. Reinforce the importance of always communicating with a trusted adult before taking any medicine. Connect this discussion with a brief introduction to safe storage, which, when ignored, may lead to accidental ingestion and medicine poisoning.
Step 10: Ask students to name the locations where medicines are stored in their households. Write answers on the board for students to refer to later. Common answers may include kitchen cabinet, bathroom cabinets, or parents’ or trusted adult’s bedroom.
As students answer, ask for specifics.
Get students thinking about how easy it is for young children in the house to find medicine. Explain that medicines need to be kept out of reach and sight of their naturally curious younger brothers and sisters, or young visitors to their home.
Step 11 Distribute the Safe Medicine Storage printable. Explain to students that they are looking at the inside of a home and it is their job to identify the medicine storage errors that could lead to accidental medicine poisoning.
Step 12: Ask students how their families get rid of unused medicine. Common answers may include putting the medicine in the trash or flushing the medicine.
Step 13: Explain to students that just as safe storage is important for keeping medicines away from people who shouldn’t have them, safe disposal is also important. Before throwing away OTC medicines, mix them with an unappealing substance (such as kitty litter or coffee grounds) and place them in a closed container (such as a sealed plastic bag). The FDA has additional guidelines for certain prescription medicines (like disposal by flushing or using the National Take-Back Initiative). The Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can answer any questions you have about how to dispose of medicines.
Step 14: After the students have completed their Responsible Medicine Dosing printable, continue the discussion.
1. Ask students to create a tool or advertisement to help people remember how to keep a home medicine-safe. Some possibilities include:
