Destroying old medications (like expired over-the-counter medicines or unused prescriptions) and then putting them in the trash is the way to go

Here's how:

· Dump the medicine out of its container into a sealable plastic bag. You don't want to throw away medications in their containers because there's a risk that people looking for drugs, as well as kids or pets, might find them. You can mix different kinds of medicines in the same bag. Just be sure to use a plastic bag that can be tightly sealed, like a zipper lock sandwich bag.

· Destroy the medications. Add a small amount of water to the bag to dissolve any pills or capsules. Then, add something that's not food, like kitty litter, shredded paper, sawdust, coffee grounds, or dirt. That way, if the medication mix falls into the hands (or paws!) of children or animals they won't be able to eat it.

· Seal up the bag and throw it away in the regular trash.

· Before you throw away prescription containers, remove the labels. After you've disposed of the medication following the instructions above, throw the medicine container in the trash. But before you do that, remove the label and destroy it. This helps you protect your medical information and keep it private. You don't want your name, address, and other personal information showing up next to the name of the drug you are taking. If you can't remove the label, take a marker and black out any personal information.

A few prescription medications need to be disposed of immediately after they are no longer needed. These should still be flushed down the toilet. If your prescription is one of these, the label or sticker on the container should say so.

Ask your pharmacist about National Prescription Take-Back Day. This program lets you bring unused medications to a place where they can be disposed of safely.

Hand Washing

"Wash your hands!" How many times have you heard that from your parents? You might think they're just nagging you, but actually the most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you don't wash your hands frequently, you can pick up germs from other sources and then infect yourself. You're at risk every time you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. In fact, one of the most common ways people catch colds is by rubbing their nose or their eyes after the cold virus has gotten on their hands.

If people don't wash their hands frequently (especially when they're sick), they can spread germs directly to other people or onto surfaces that others touch. And before you know it, everyone around you is coming down with something!

The First Line of Defense Against Germs

Think about all of the things that you touched today — from the telephone to the toilet. Maybe you blew your nose and played with your dog. Whatever you did, you came into contact with germs. So it's easy for germs on your hand to end up in your mouth (maybe when you scarfed that handful of popcorn with your teammates right after soccer practice).

By frequently washing your hands the right way, you'll wash away germs — such as bacteria and viruses — that you have picked up from other people, through contaminated water and food, from tainted surfaces, or from animals and animal waste.

Defensive Hand Washing

Did you know that an estimated 1 out of 5 people don't wash their hands after using the restroom? In 2005 the American Society for Microbiology did a survey of hand washing. They asked people questions about their hand-washing habits and also watched people in public restrooms. The results were kind of gross. For example:

· People don't always wash their hands after using the bathroom — 91% of adults say they always wash their hands after using public restrooms, but just 83% were seen doing so.

· People wash their hands less at home — 83% say they wash their hands after using the bathroom at home. Germs are germs, and a bathroom is a bathroom.

· Only 32% of people in the survey said they wash their hands after coughing or sneezing. So it's nice that you protect the people around you by covering your mouth with your hand when you cough. But if you then reach for your friend's pizza, you might as well not have bothered.

· Just 21% wash their hands after handling money.

· Only 42% of the people in the survey washed up after petting a dog or cat. You've seen your dog roll in that mystery smell in the park or your cat rub against you after using the litter pan. Fido and Fluffy are dirtier than you think.

And even if you're a good hand-washer, your friends may be harboring some dirty little secrets: Students don't wash their hands often or well. In one study, only 58% of female and 48% of male middle- and high-school students washed their hands after using the bathroom. Yuck!