Most people keep far too many medicines in and around the house -- and this is the greatest single cause of accidental poisonings. All prescription medicines should be thrown out when the course of treatment is finished, and the only guaranteed way to stop children from gaining access to them is to flush unused medications down the toilet.

Ideally, a medicine cabinet should be stocked with only those items that will enable you to treat the simple emergencies and minor crises that you are competent to handle. Fortunately, such emergencies are few and require only basic skills and a minimum of medicines and equipment.

More serious emergencies (such as poisoning, snake bite, broken bones, concussion, drowning, etc), are the province of trained experts, and every family medicine chest should contain a card with the following services and telephone numbers for quick reference:

• Family doctor
• Family chemist
• Local hospital
• Ambulance
• Police
• Poisons information center

It is certainly reasonable to want to equip yourself to deal with non-urgent problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, constipation, coughs and sore throat. However, there are more natural and safer ways of dealing with these types of problems than taking over-the-counter medications.

Constipation is best avoided by ensuring that your diet includes plenty of cereal and vegetable fiber. Regular use of laxatives is harmful.

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, when not due to serious illness, are best treated by bed rest, drinking plenty of clear fluids, and by avoiding solid foods. The bowel needs rest and recovers by itself.

Coughs may signify an illness that requires medical attention, but equally often a cough may require only some honey and lemon juice in a little hot water to sip as required, or the use of a simple lozenge.

Indigestion usually signifies overeating or dietary indiscretion, and some bicarbonate of soda (also known as bicarb, carb soda and baking soda) - one teaspoon in a glass of water - is usually effective.

If you prefer to use over-the-counter medications, seek a pharmacist's advice and stick to the one preparation that suits you best. Don't hoard a collection of alternative remedies in your cabinet.

Simple everyday emergencies are aches and pains, headache, sunburn, bites and stings, cuts, bruises and abrasions, burns, sprains or a foreign body in the eye. The following alphabetical list of basic medical supplies for your family's cabinet should see you through most everyday emergency situations:

• Antihistamine tablets or elixir
• Antiseptic cream (e.g. Furacin)
  
• Antiseptics (tincture of iodine, hydrogen peroxide, methylated spirits)
• Aspirin and/or Panadol (tablets, elixir)
  
• Calamine cream or lotion
• Hirudoid or Lasonil ointment (for bruises and sprains)
  
• Sunburn cream or lotion
• UV suncream or lotion (for prevention)

Every household should also have the following items on hand:

Milk - the most useful thing to give in the event of poisoning because it delays absorption from the stomach.

Ice or a cold pack is the first thing to apply to a bruise or sprain.  The sooner it is applied, the more the bleeding and swelling will be reduced.  Similarly, cold water quickly applied to skin burns will lessen any skin damage.

A warm water bottle - is very useful when applied to a colicky tummy, an aching ear or tooth, or muscular aches and pains.

To cover the full range of day-to-day injuries and emergencies, ideal equipment for the medicine cabinet should also include:

• A pair of sharp scissors
• Assorted safety pins
• Adhesive bandages (such as Band-Aids in assorted sizes)
  
• Crepe bandages (assorted sizes)
• Gauze bandages (assorted sizes)
  
• Adhesive tape and/or sticking plaster
• Cotton wool
• Sterile gauze pads (various sizes)
• Thermometer

Splints can be improvised from items such as rolled-up newspapers and magazines or a child's school ruler for an arm splint, or an icy pole stick for a finger splint.

Eyes are best washed clear of foreign bodies by holding the head under a gently running tap. An eye bath is also a convenient method and can be supplied by your chemist.

Soap, a scrubbing brush and hot running water is one of the best safeguards to family health in any home. Soap and water is the cheapest, simplest and best antiseptic. Cuts, grazes and open wounds, no matter how serious, can be cleaned with soap and water with absolute safety. Remember, if in doubt use soap and water and forget the so-called antiseptics.

When organizing your medicine cabinet don't buy more than is absolutely necessary. Stick to a few medicines and don't hoard left-over prescription drugs. All drugs and medicines are potentially dangerous, especially if they get into the hands of children, so keep medications locked up and well out of their reach.