Increasing Safety at Home

Taking these steps may help increase the amount of time someone with suicidal thoughts has to get help.

Firearms

• Removing firearms from the home can dramatically help decrease chances of death by suicide.

Pills & medications

• Many medications can be lethal in overdose. This includes both over the counter and prescription pills.
• Securing medications that aren’t immediately needed, and limiting access to medications that are immediately needed, can help decrease chances of death by suicide.
• For minors and dependent adults, caregivers should keep custody of the medications and supervise administration of medications.
• Consider purchasing a lock box to keep medications in, and a pill box to organize medications that are immediately needed.
• Safely dispose of any medications that are no longer needed.

**Household cleaners & sharps**

• Parents of minors should consider locking household cleaners and sharp objects such as knives, which could be lethal if used in a suicide attempt.

Recreational drugs & Alcohol

• Remove or restrict access to alcohol and drugs that aren’t prescribed by treating physician. Recreational drugs and alcohol can adversely affect mood in many people and can increase impulsivity.