Many prescription medications expire one year from the date they were filled, but don"t just assume. According to Jelly Candy Making Machine,some medications expire more quickly than others. Liquid medications often have a shorter shelf-life, some as little as 14 days.Even supplies like adhesive bandages and hydrogen peroxide come with expiration dates. For example, Vaseline recommends keeping their products, like petroleum jelly and moisturizers, at room temperature for up to two years.

Always make sure to examine medication before taking it. Even if you"ve used the same prescription every night for the past decade, it pays to be alert. Take time to double check the name and appearance of the medication.Be aware of anything that doesn"t look right. Capsules that are stuck together or pills that have changed color could indicate moisture has seeped into the container and they should be tossed. The same goes for any medication that is crumbled, has spots or has changed in consistency or appearance.

Leaving medication in the car can also lead to problems, especially during the summer months in Florida. "Most medication should be kept at room temperature and is stable up to about 78 degrees," says Greene. Higher temperatures can be damaging, "If capsules are left in the glove compartment on a warm day, temperatures can climb high enough to actually melt them." When that happens, most pharmacies are willing to exchange the damaged medication but only at the patient"s expense.

Pouring old medications down the drain or flushing them in the toilet used to be an acceptable way to dispose of them. In Florida, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Health both advise against it. What"s the big deal? This method of disposal leads to a risk of contamination of Florida"s drinking water and water bodies.