An emergency room pediatrician has uncovered a possible mistake you should keep in mind with your kids this holiday season — and it all has to do with a grandparent’s bag.
More specifically, it’s something called “granny’s wallet syndrome,” and it can be life-threatening.
The warning came from Florida-based Dr. Meghan Martin, who uses the username @beachgem10 on social media.
She destroyed everything parents in a new video posted on her TikTok, explaining that it’s important to know this before the holidays.
“This is the time when young children are receiving medications from their grandparents that are not properly secured for many reasons,” Dr. began. Martin the video.
“One is that grandparents are not used to having children around; their medications are often on low shelves, in their handbags, or in medication containers that are not child-resistant,” she continued.
‘Or they also have medicines in prescription packaging that are not child-safe due to arthritis, for example.’
The pediatrician further proved her point by sharing a shocking statistic: About 20 percent of poisonings that occur in young children are related to accidentally ingesting their grandparents’ medications.
An emergency room pediatrician has revealed a sneaky mistake you should keep in mind with your kids this holiday season — and it has to do with a grandparent’s bag (stock image)
The warning came from Florida-based Dr. Meghan Martin, who uses the social media handle @beachgem10
“Some of these medications can be very dangerous. They could be painkillers, antidepressants, heart medications, blood pressure medications or diabetes medications,” Dr. explained. Martin out.
The expert stated that because a child’s body is so small, even a normal dose of medication for an adult can be a ‘toxic intake’ for children.
“It is especially important when visiting family to ensure medications are stored safely and that we do not keep medications in backpacks, purses or suitcases,” she said.
“Don’t take medications in front of children because children want to mimic what adults do,” she continued.
“Never call medicine candy, medicine is not okay to eat, candy is okay to eat.”
The doctor also emphasized that it is important to keep medicine boxes out of the reach of children, or that they are placed in child-resistant containers out of the reach of children.
But if your child does get an ingestion during the holidays, she recommended calling 911 or Poison Control.
“Have a happy and safe holiday,” Dr. concluded. Martin.
“Some of these medications can be very dangerous. They could be painkillers, antidepressants, heart medications, blood pressure medications or diabetes medications,” Dr. explained. Martin out.
In the comments section of her video, many users praised her for the warning and even shared their own stories
In the comments section of her video, many users praised her for the warning and even shared their own stories.
Some were also shocked to realize they would have to lock their pills around children too.
“I’m not often around young children, but I only just realized that my travel medicine is NOT child-safe at all,” one person admitted.
‘Probably one of the most important messages this holiday season. As a pharmacist and parent, I love this content! Happy Thanksgiving!’ someone else typed.
Another agreed: ‘My parents were shocked when my ONE request when they took my three year old was to do a deep scan for pills on the floor and put ALL medications away. They said they hadn’t even thought about it, but it makes sense.”
“A girl I knew ate her grandfather’s cancer medicine. She is doing well now, but it sounded like a scary experience,” a second person shared.
Other users even shared similar warnings for older children.
‘Teenagers may also be tempted to take painkillers from family members if they are left out, so keep that in mind too!’ someone wrote.
“And teens/young adults may not think to put on their vapes (all types) and use the battery lock feature on the batteries. Even the lithium batteries are dangerous…Put it away, put it away,” another reminded.