Pediatrician issues stark warning to parents about ‘granny’s purse syndrome’ this holiday season

An emergency room pediatrician has revealed a potential oversight you need to be aware of during this holiday season with your kids – and it is all to do with a grandparent’s purse.

More specifically, it’s something called ‘granny’s purse syndrome,’ and it can be life-threatening. 

The warning came from Florida-based Dr. Meghan Martin, who goes by the username @beachgem10 on social media.

She broke everything down for parents in a new video posted to her TikTok, explaining that it’s important to know about this ahead of the holidays.

‘This is when young kids get into their grandparents medications that are not secured properly, for many reasons,’ Dr. Martin began the video.

‘One of them is that grandparents are not used to having kids around, often their medications are on low shelves or in their purses or in medication containers that are not child resistant,’ she continued.

‘Or they also have medications in prescription containers that are not child resistant because of things like arthritis.’

The pediatrician further proved her point by sharing a shocking statistic – around 20 per cent of poisonings that happens in young kids are related to accidentally swallowing their grandparent’s medications.

An emergency room pediatrician has revealed a sneaky oversight you need to be aware of during this holiday season with your kids – and it has to do with a grandparent’s purse (stock image) 

The warning came from Florida-based Dr. Meghan Martin, who goes by the username @beachgem10 on social media

‘Some of these medications can be really dangerous, they can be pain pills, antidepressants, heart medications, blood pressure medications, or diabetes medications,’ Dr. Martin explained.

The expert furthered that because a child’s body is so small, even a normal medication dose for an adult can be a ‘toxic ingestion’ for kids.

‘It’s especially important with visiting family to make sure that medications are locked up and secure, that we don’t store medications in backpacks, purses or suitcases,’ she said.

‘Don’t take medication in front of kids, because kids want to mimic what adults do,’ she continued.

‘Never refer to medication as candy, medication is not okay to eat, candy is okay to eat.’

The doctor also stressed that it’s important to keep medication boxes locked away from children, or that they’re placed in child-resistant containers away from kids.

But if your child does end up having an ingestion during the holidays, she advised calling 911 or Poison Control.

‘Have a happy and safe holiday,’ Dr. Martin concluded.

‘Some of these medications can be really dangerous, they can be pain pills, antidepressants, heart medications, blood pressure medications, or diabetes medications,’ Dr. Martin explained

In the comments section of her video, many users praised her for the warning, and even shared their own stories

In the comments section of her video, many users praised her for the warning, and even shared their own stories. 

Some were also shocked to realize that they should be locking up their pills around children, too.

‘I’m not around young kids often, but I didn’t realize until just now that my travel med case is NOT childproof at all,’ one person admitted.

‘Probably one of the most important messages this holiday season. As a pharmacist and parent, I love this content! Happy Thanksgiving!’ someone else typed.

Another agreed, ‘My parents were shocked when my ONLY request when they took my three-year-old was to do a deep scan for pills on the ground and lock up ALL medication. Said they didn’t even think about it, but makes sense.’

‘A girl I knew ate her grandfather’s cancer medication. She’s okay now but it sounded like a scary experience,’ a second person shared. 

Other users even shared similar warnings for older children.

‘Also – teenagers might be tempted to swipe relatives pain pills if left out so be mindful of that too!’ someone wrote.

‘And teenagers/young adults may not think to put up their vapes (all kinds) and use the battery lock feature on the batteries. Even the lithium batteries are dangerous… Put it up, put it away,’ another reminded.