A cool dry place away from direct sunlight is ideal. The steam and heat can degrade drugs fairly quickly. The glove compartment of your car is also a poor storage spot. Pick a place that is out of reach of visiting children, or can be locked. If you take several medications at different times during the day, set up a system for keeping track of them.
Most pharmacies sell a variety of plastic boxes divided by the day or the hour.
You load the boxes with a day or a week's worth of medications, and you can tell at a glance if you've taken the medicine. A chart to check off the medicines as you take them may be helpful. Becoming familiar with the size, shape and color of your medications also may help prevent errors. Finally, advises Fishman, don't carry unlabeled drugs around in your pocket or purse. If you remove the drug from the original container, write the name of the drug and its dosage on a slip of paper and put it in with the medication.