Medication Safety at Home 
A Checklist to Reduce Risk and Protect Your Loved Ones 

1. Store Medications Securely 

• ☐ Keep all prescription and over-the-counter medicines in a locked cabinet, lockbox, or medication safe. 

• ☐ Make sure only trusted adults know the lock code or have the key. 

• ☐ Avoid keeping medicines in purses, nightstands, or easily accessible drawers. 

2. Limit What You Keep at Home 

• ☐ Only keep a small supply of each medication. 

• ☐ Ask your pharmacist about partial fills to avoid having large quantities. 

• ☐ If possible, store non-essential medications outside the home (with a trusted person or in a safe facility). 

3. Track and Monitor 

• ☐ Keep a written or digital list of all medications in your home. 

• ☐ Count pills or doses regularly to make sure none are missing. 

• ☐ Note refill dates so you know if medication is being used faster than expected. 

4. Dispose of Unused or Expired Medications 

• ☐ Use local drug take-back programs or pharmacy drop boxes. Those sites can be found at: https://www.google.com/maps/search/drug+disposal/ 

• ☐ Ask your pharmacy about mail-back envelopes for disposal. 
• ☐ If no program is available, follow FDA at-home disposal guidelines. 
   

5. Include in Your Safety Plan 

• ☐ If someone in your home is going through a mental health crisis, temporarily remove or lock up all non-essential medications. 

• ☐ Work with healthcare providers to adjust prescriptions if needed. 

6. Talk About Safety 

• ☐ Explain to all family members why medications are locked up. 

• ☐ Encourage open conversations about mental health and safety. 

Remember: 

Small steps — like locking medications, reducing supply, and disposing of extras — can make a big difference in preventing harm.