Interesting facts:
The point of stocking medical supplies is to have essential items on hand in case of emergencies. But medicine chests tend to become an elephant's graveyard: out-of-date drugs pile up, making you think you're better stocked than you really are. Check expiration dates every few months. Out-of-date drugs may not only lose potency, but may also be dangerous, particularly some antibiotics.

If a drug doesn't have an expiration date, write the purchase date on the label. Then check with your pharmacist before using a drug that is more than a year old. Discard old drugs that are more than a year old. Discard old drugs by flushing them down the toilet; children could find them in a wastebasket.

A bathroom is actually a poor place to store drugs because the high heat and humidity from the bath or shower causes pills and powders to deteriorate. Choose a cool, dry spot instead, like a closet shelf. If a drug needs to be kept in a refrigerator, it will be indicated on the label.

Consider Discarding:
Prescription drugs you didn't use up – Medications prescribed for a specific condition that has since cleared up should be thrown away, not kept around "just if case". Get rid of out-dated medications, too.

• Hexylresorcinol, Merthiolate, Mercurochrome, and similar products – These are not effective disinfectants and can burn the skin under a tight bandage. Be wary, generally, of products that claim to promote healing.
• Hydrogen peroxide – This old standby for "cleansing" can actually damage skin and retard healing. Water is better.
• Stimulant laxatives (such as Ex-Lax, Feen-A-Mint, and Cascara) A diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, plus two quarts of fluid daily, should keep you from needing a laxative.
  
  If you have any questions about the condition or potency of a drug, call your doctor or pharmacist. Since medicines don't last forever, it may be a waste of money to buy large, family-size bottles of drugs. They may go bad before you use them.
  
  If there are children in the house or coming to visit, be sure that potentially toxic medicines are in childproof containers or in a locked box. Don't rely on keeping them out of reach.

• A pair of tweezers (for removing ticks, slivers, or dirt particles from a wound), plus a pair of special, thin-tipped tick tweezers if you hike often in the woods.
• Bandages (assorted sizes), gauze, and adhesive tape.
• An over-the-counter pain reliever – Because no single pain reliever is right for every situation or every person, you might keep more than one type on hand.
• A simple antacid, especially one with calcium, such as Tums or Rolaids.
• A remedy for mild diarrhea, such as Pepto-Bismol or Imodium, which can be bought in generic form.
• Calamine lotion for soothing insect bites or poison ivy.
• OTC hydrocortisone cream (1 percent) for skin rashes, insect bites, and contact dermatitis. It generally should not be used on any eruption caused by fungi, viruses, or bacteria (such as athlete's foot ringworm, or cold sores).
• A fever thermometer.

This information is part of The Wellness Self-Care Handbook, The everyday guide to prevention and home remedies. Copyright 1998 by Health Letter Associates. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reference information has been formally requested of Health Letter Associates, 632 Broadway, New York, NE 10012.

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