Medications play a crucial role in many people’s lives by helping manage and treat health conditions. They’re also commonly used for everyday ailments that come and go, such as headaches. Survey research of 21,000 people collected from June 2023 to April 2024 suggests that, in a typical week, nearly 2 in 3 U.S. adults use at least one prescription or over‑the‑counter (OTC) medication. With so many households having medications on hand, it’s common to have questions about how to store them safely.