The festive season is supposed to be all about cosy visits, crowded tables, and kids being spoiled by relatives. But pediatrician Meghan Martin has a reminder that cuts through the holiday haze, especially when families are spending time at grandparents’ homes. She warns about something often called “grandma’s handbag syndrome,” a situation where children get their hands on medication that has not been stored safely. It is the kind of risk that can hide in plain sight because nobody is thinking about it until it is too late.
According to Dr. Martin, this can happen for lots of everyday reasons that feel completely harmless. Grandparents may not be used to having small children around, so pills might sit on a low shelf, a bedside table, or the kitchen counter. Medication can also be tucked inside a purse, a backpack, or a suitcase, all of which are tempting treasure chests for curious little hands. Even familiar items like weekly pill organizers may not be child-safe, which makes them easier for kids to open.
Dr. Martin points out that accidental poisonings in young children are often linked to medications belonging to a grandparent. She says around 20 percent of these cases can be connected to a child swallowing a grandparent’s pills by mistake. The list of risky medications is not obscure or unusual. Painkillers, antidepressants, and treatments for heart conditions, blood pressure, or diabetes can all be dangerous in the wrong dose.
@beachgem10 Holidays are time to be with family, but it’s important to make sure medications are locked up, out of reach from tiny hands! It’s also important to consider fire arms, button batteries (used in hearing aids and remote controls), cleaning supplies and THC edibles #holidays #family #grandparents #parents #safety ♬ original sound – Beachgem10
A major reason this becomes so serious so quickly is size. Adults may take a tablet without a second thought, but a child’s body is much smaller and more sensitive. Dr. Martin stresses that even a single pill can be toxic for a young child. That is why the goal should be prevention, not panic management after something has already happened.
The simplest holiday habit is a quick safety sweep as soon as you arrive. Ask where medications are kept and move them to a locked, high spot that children cannot reach. Keep handbags and coats with pockets off the floor and away from play areas, and avoid leaving suitcases open in bedrooms. It also helps to glance under sofas, around dining chairs, and near bedside tables for any dropped tablets that might not be noticed by adults.
Dr. Martin also advises adults not to take medication in front of children, since kids love copying what they see. Pills should never be described as candy, even as a joke. If a child might have swallowed an unknown medication, it is important to call emergency services immediately rather than waiting to see what happens.
Have you ever done a quick medication check when visiting family during the holidays, and do you think more people should talk about this kind of hidden risk? Share your thoughts in the comments.
