Children, teens, adults, seniors, and pets are all at risk for accidental poisonings. Here are a few tips from the American Association of Poison Control Centers to help Washington families to stay safe.

1. Dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs through safe medicine return programs. Proper disposal can help prevent accidental poisoning, overdoses, and drug addictions. Drop off unused medicines at local Bartell Drug Stores, or other take-back centers. For more locations,

check out the Take Back Your Meds Web site at takebackyourmeds.org.

2. Follow directions on the label when you give or take medicines. Read all warning labels. Some medicines cannot be taken safely when you take other medicines or drink alcohol.

3. Turn on a light when you give or take medicines at night so that you know you have the correct amount of the right medicine.

4. Keep medicines in their original bottles or containers.

5. Monitor the use of medicines prescribed for children and teenagers, such as medicines for attention deficit disorder, or ADD.

6. Never share or sell your prescription drugs.

7. Keep opioid pain medications, such as methadone, hydrocodone, and oxycodone, in a safe place that can only be reached by people who take or give them.

8. Put the poison control number, 1-800-222-1222, on or near every home telephone and save it on your cell phone. In Washington state, the number routes to the Washington Poison Center. Specially-trained pharmacists, nurses and poison physicians respond to emergencies and answer questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week at no charge. All services are confidential.

More information is available at www.poisonprevention.org.