Your Summer Medicine Cabinet: 5 Tips for a Healthier Family

Almost every home has a medicine cabinet. What you need to ask yourself is if your medicine cabinet is helping you or hurting you. Is your cabinet stocked with the things that your family needs for the summer? Here are five tips to keeping a summer medicine cabinet for a healthier family:

1. Clean It Out

Before you stock your medicine cabinet, you’ve got to clean it out. The goal is to start fresh. Empty your cabinet completely and throw out anything that is outdated, unused or unnecessary. Once your cabinet is empty, clean the shelves with a bleach solution to rid it of any spills, dirt and dust.

Next, take a look at what you’ll be putting back in your cabinet. What do you have and what do you need? Look at the next tips for ideas when constructing your shopping list.

2. Allergy Medicine

Summer is ripe with allergies. Whether you are sensitive to pollen, your partner’s sinuses go haywire because of dander, or your kids get runny eyes when you cut the grass, it’s important to keep allergy medications close at hand. If anyone in your family takes prescription medications like Nasonex or Flonase, make sure that you’re stocked with your latest refill. If over-the-counter remedies are used in your home, your cabinet should always hold a box of antihistamine.

3. Antacids and Such

Summer is full of cookouts, barbecues and overeating. Prescription medications like Nexium and OTC medications like Pepto-Bismol can help aid upset stomachs during barbecue season. Make sure that you have anti-diarrheal, anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medications in your medicine cabinet. If you’re going to someone’s home for a summer party, throw a few capsules in your bag.

4. Pain Relievers

From headaches to pulled muscles, there is always a good reason to have pain relievers in the house. Nothing is worse than having a terrible headache and being forced to drive to the store for a bottle of aspirin. Keep pain relievers well-stocked. Pay attention to what works for each member of your family and have these items on hand. While Tylenol may be your go-to pain reliever, Advil may be your partner’s choice. Different pain relievers work better for different people.

5. First-Aid Essentials

Blister guards, sunscreen, bandages, antibacterial ointment; these are the things of a great medicine cabinet. According to The National Safe Kids Campaign, May through August is the most dangerous months for your children. Accidents during the summer occur at a rate that is 42 percent higher than the rest of the year combined. Warm weather brings skinned knees, sunburns and blisters. Make sure that your medicine cabinet holds the things you need to take care of these minor bumps and bruises.

It’s not difficult to keep a great medicine cabinet for your family. With a bit of organization and know-how, you can design a medicine cabinet that is healthy for your whole family. Follow the tips above and get your medicine cabinet summer-ready today.

Author Charlie Van Buren suffers from allergies and recommends Viamedic for your medication needs. Viamedic expert interviews cover a variety of health issues that will be interesting to all.