8 out of 10 parents have given the wrong dose of liquid medicine to their child by accident
Ditch the Spoon: Be Precise with the Right Device
Campaign aims to educate parents on proper dosing for children’s medicines
WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 1, 2017 – Parents want to do the best for their children, especially when they’re not feeling well. That often means giving liquid, over-the-counter (OTC) medications when they have a cold, fever or the flu. But even the best intentions can go wrong when it comes to dosing children’s OTC medicines.
OTC cough and cold medicines are safe and effective when used as directed – this includes always giving your child the precise, recommended dose. When it’s late at night and your child is sick, it may seem easier to reach for whatever is nearby, like a kitchen spoon, instead of taking the time to find the right dosing cup or syringe that came with the medicine. While 63 percent of parents surveyed say they prefer milliliter dosing devices to measure their children’s liquid medicine, 8 out of 10 parents* have given the wrong dose of liquid medicine to their child by accident.
To educate parents on the importance of proper dosing, KnowYourOTCs.org, a consumer resource provided by the CHPA Educational Foundation (a nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible use of consumer healthcare products), is launching a new campaign, Be Precise with the Right Device.
Using humor, the campaign highlights that just as spoons make lousy paintbrushes, they are even worse for measuring your child’s medicine. To avoid any mistakes, parents need to be sure to use only the dosing device that comes with each medicine and follow the directions on the package.
By measuring the correct mL dose, parents can rest assured they are giving their children the proper amount of medicine. KnowYourOTCs has additional information, including 10 tips for parents using over-the-counter medicines
*According to a recent National Institutes of Health Study
About KnowYourOTCs.org
KnowYourOTCs.org is designed to give consumers the information and tools they need to safely use, store and dispose of medicines safely.
About CHPA Educational Foundation
The CHPA Educational Foundation’s mission is to be the trusted source of information on the responsible use of consumer healthcare products, including OTC medicines and dietary supplements.