Storing Small Items

[Weedygarden]

Caribou, I wonder if you have found some solutions for storage?

 

[Caribou]

Caribou, I wonder if you have found some solutions for storage?

I'm saving jars to put screws, nuts, washers, etc. in. I'll attach them to the bottom of a shelf. At some point I'll find a box with movable bin panels to put my small item or single items in for the medical. I've used this type before for plumbing parts and such but hadn't ever considered it for medical till it was mentioned here.

I'm planning to build some special shelving for food and paper products. I have also picked up a bit of pegboard and hooks.

 

[Weedygarden]

I saw this idea and thought it was a great idea. Maybe thieving types would be onto this, but maybe not.

 

[DrPrepper]

When it comes to prescription medications, I had an eye opener about 8 years ago. A cousin flew in, we drove to S.D. She tells me she has pain meds with other people's names on them. I didn't even think about it. You know she was addicted to opioids. I can be naive. It was after the trip that I really thought about what could have happened. We went to visit a few of my older aunts and uncles. I wonder how many of them had their medicine cabinets raided? One of them that I later talked to about it told me they do not keep their meds in the bathroom or bedroom. They have a cabinet in their kitchen where they keep their current meds and the rest are stashed elsewhere. Cousin claims to be clean and sober. NOT!

After a root canal and the medication I was prescribed, but only used 2 of, I have put those leftover meds somewhere else, not in the "medicine" cabinet and not in my night stand.

I buy the little plastic pill bags that can be labeled, and I put the prescription meds in these. I label them with the drug, strength, date, and prescription number. Then, I put all of the little bags into a medium tupperware container in one of my medical boxes (large plastic tote). I keep a clipboard that lists the contents of each tote, so it is pretty easy to find items I need.

For other small items like floss or abreva, I take them out of the large packaging and put them into freezer bags (like items together) and placed in a medical tote labeled "Dental." Again, the clipboard helps find things, and a baggie with 20 floss dispensers is pretty easy to find! I don't have the shelf space to stack them individually, but I do have places for the large totes. Plus, that way I can keep similar things together.

 

[Weedygarden]

I buy the little plastic pill bags that can be labeled, and I put the prescription meds in these. I label them with the drug, strength, date, and prescription number. Then, I put all of the little bags into a medium tupperware container in one of my medical boxes (large plastic tote). I keep a clipboard that lists the contents of each tote, so it is pretty easy to find items I need.

For other small items like floss or abreva, I take them out of the large packaging and put them into freezer bags (like items together) and placed in a medical tote labeled "Dental." Again, the clipboard helps find things, and a baggie with 20 floss dispensers is pretty easy to find! I don't have the shelf space to stack them individually, but I do have places for the large totes. Plus, that way I can keep similar things together.

I have many small plastic bags of varying sizes that I got at Hobby Lobby, but they do not have the white area for writing. I am wondering where someone like me might be able to get this type of bag, with a place to write on it?

You are a medical professional, so this works for you. I heard or read many years ago that pills without their original packaging can cause trouble, such as if you are stopped by police. I can tell you that I don't have those kinds of problems, but that is because I err on the side of caution in all things. I am straight and narrow in my behavior. Do you know if things have changed or if this is still something to be careful about? With all the prescription drug problems, I don't ever need to be suspect, because I don't have that problem.

 

[Terri9630]

Ziploc freezer bags have the white area to write in. So do vacuum bags.

 

[Caribou]

I have many small plastic bags of varying sizes that I got at Hobby Lobby, but they do not have the white area for writing. I am wondering where someone like me might be able to get this type of bag, with a place to write on it?

You are a medical professional, so this works for you. I heard or read many years ago that pills without their original packaging can cause trouble, such as if you are stopped by police. I can tell you that I don't have those kinds of problems, but that is because I err on the side of caution in all things. I am straight and narrow in my behavior. Do you know if things have changed or if this is still something to be careful about? With all the prescription drug problems, I don't ever need to be suspect, because I don't have that problem.

I always travel with my pain meds. The cheap plastic bottles that they come in won't hold up over the long term. I asked for, and received, a duplicate label from my pharmacy that I put on an empty test strip bottle so my drugs are secure and legal.

 

[DrPrepper]

I have many small plastic bags of varying sizes that I got at Hobby Lobby, but they do not have the white area for writing. I am wondering where someone like me might be able to get this type of bag, with a place to write on it?

You are a medical professional, so this works for you. I heard or read many years ago that pills without their original packaging can cause trouble, such as if you are stopped by police. I can tell you that I don't have those kinds of problems, but that is because I err on the side of caution in all things. I am straight and narrow in my behavior. Do you know if things have changed or if this is still something to be careful about? With all the prescription drug problems, I don't ever need to be suspect, because I don't i have that problem.

I bought the pill bags at either Walmart or Walgreens. If you are worried about them not being in the original container, maybe you could peel the label off the bottle and put it in or on the baggie.

 

[Weedygarden]

I bought the pill bags at either Walmart or Walgreens. If you are worried about them not being in the original container, maybe you could peel the label off the bottle and put it in or on the baggie.

Thank you. I will look for them there.
I have a few places I keep first aid. One is a tackle box and I tend to keep things like pills in there. This would work and take up less space.

 

[backlash]

It never occurred to me to need labels on my meds when I take them out of the original bottle.
I bought a small zippered travel case that holds 6 days worth of pills and I use that.
I also don't fly anywhere so there is really no reason for anyone to check.
I also don't take any narcotics.

 

[Weedygarden]

It never occurred to me to need labels on my meds when I take them out of the original bottle.
I bought a small zippered travel case that holds 6 days worth of pills and I use that.
I also don't fly anywhere so there is really no reason for anyone to check.
I also don't take any narcotics.

I don't take narcotics either, but if there was something going down, how would anyone know what meds are what? Maybe the professionals can tell by looking because of the shape and color and size. I just prefer to be careful. There was once a conversation where it was suggested that something powdery could be kept in plastic drinking straws with the ends sealed. Not ever going to do that, because, that evidently, is one way that illegal drugs are packaged.

 

[Caribou]

I don't take narcotics either, but if there was something going down, how would anyone know what meds are what? Maybe the professionals can tell by looking because of the shape and color and size. I just prefer to be careful. There was once a conversation where it was suggested that something powdery could be kept in plastic drinking straws with the ends sealed. Not ever going to do that, because, that evidently, is one way that illegal drugs are packaged.

There are books you can get, like a PDR, Physicians Desk Reference, that will tell you what a pill is by the numbers etc. on it and the shape/color. It would also give you dosage and other important information. it would be a great reference book to keep around.

 

[Weedygarden]

There are books you can get, like a PDR, Physicians Desk Reference, that will tell you what a pill is by the numbers etc. on it and the shape/color. It would also give you dosage and other important information. it would be a great reference book to keep around.

Yes, I have seen them. I think they would be great for any household to have one. If I remember correctly, a new one is not cheap, but used would still have lots of information.

 

[Caribou]

Yes, I have seen them. I think they would be great for any household to have one. If I remember correctly, a new one is not cheap, but used would still have lots of information.

My SIL is an RN and works admin. I just sent her an email asking if they ever toss out old PDR's.

 

[Weedygarden]

I searched for this thread because organization is an ongoing effort. Someone was giving away a bunch of Altoid tins recently, and I went and got them. Amazing that I have already used some of them. I had some dental picks with floss and they poked a hole through the bag. There were enough for two tins, labeled "Dental" on the side. I think I'll put some dental floss in each container.

I have used so many of these tins to organize many things.