Safe Homes
A home is full of both safe and unsafe items for children. OCDPH's Safe Homes campaign is working to make homes safer by encouraging conversation among families, offering tools for locking up potentially dangerous or deadly items, and sharing information about where to throw away unused over-the-counter and prescription medication for free.
Accidental contact with prescription medication, cannabis, and other substances can land a child in the emergency room. According to the CDC, this happens to approximately 35,000 children in the United States every year.
Safe Homes provides locking bags for the safe storage of medication, cannabis, and other substances that need to be kept away from children. Through a partnership with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office and the Veterans Administration, OCDPH is providing a limited number of gun locks so that individuals and families can consider locking up lethal means which may be used in a suicide attempt.
A list of locations for picking up lock bags, community resources, safe medication disposal locations, and tips for a safe home can be found below.
Lock Bag Pick-Up Locations
Pick up your FREE Safe Homes Lock Bag at any of the locations listed below!
-
Allendale Fire Department
(Located in Allendale Township Hall)
6676 Lake Michigan Dr., Allendale Charter Twp., MI 49401
(616) 895-6295 -
City of Holland City Hall
270 S. River Holland, MI 49423
616-355-1300 -
Community Action
House
(Located in Food Club & Opportunity Hub)
739 Paw Paw Dr., Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-2368 -
Grand Haven Department of Public Safety
525 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417 -
Grand Haven Township Administrative Offices
13300 168th Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417
(616) 604-6322 -
Herrick District Library - Main Library
300 S River Ave., Holland, MI 49423
(616) 355-3100 -
Holland Police
Department
89 W. 8th St., Holland, MI 49423
(616) 355-1100 -
Holland Township
353 120th Ave., Holland, MI 49424
(616) 396-2345
-
Ottawa County Clerk’s Office
12220 Fillmore Street, Room 130, West Olive, MI 49460 -
Ottawa County
Sheriff's Office - Coopersville Branch
289 Danforth St., Coopersville, MI 49404
(616) 997-2128 -
Ottawa County Sheriff's Office -
Fillmore Headquarters
12220 Fillmore St., West Olive, MI 49460
(616) 738-4000 -
Ottawa County Sheriff's
Office - Holland Branch
12169 James St., Holland, MI 49424 -
Ottawa County
Sheriff's Office - Hudsonville Branch
3275 Central Blvd., Hudsonville, MI 49426
(616) 669-0010 -
Ottawa County
Sheriff's Office - Spring Lake Branch
106 N. Fruitport Rd., Spring Lake, MI 49456
616-215-1595 -
Ottawa County Department of
Public Health
12251 James St., Suite 400, Holland, MI 49424
(616) 396-5266 -
Park Township
52 152nd Ave., Holland, MI 49424
(616) 399-4520
Community Resources
- Talk Sooner.org - Information for parents about how to talk to teens about drug use.
- Ottawa Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (OSAP) - Resources focused on preventing substance use disorders.
- Firearm Safety - Firearm safety information for families from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
- Ottawa County Suicide Prevention Coalition - Provides information about suicide crisis intervention and mental health resources and support groups.
- Call2-1-1.org - Free service connecting Ottawa County residents to community resources for things like food, rent and utility assistance, mental health services, employment needs, and more. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Can also be accessed by phone by calling 2-1-1.
Tips for a Safe Home
DISCUSS
Have Open Conversations
Safe storage is not always enough. Talk to children and teens about the risks of using
prescription medication and drugs to help keep them safe.
Be a Good Model for Youth
Set a good example and create a safe environment. Actions speak louder than words.
Be Honest
Explain the health risks and legal consequences. Share how making positive choices can help them
reach their goals.
SECURE
Lock It Up
Young children may confuse marijuana products or medication for food or candy. Find a safe and
secure location that is out of reach of children for these items. How you store medications or
other
drugs should change as children get older. Safe storage around young children may not stop older
children or teens.
Accidental Ingestion
If a child does access drugs, call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222. If symptoms
are severe, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately.
DISPOSE
Dispose of Unused Medications
Unused medications in the home may be creating risk for our families. Be sure to properly
dispose of
any unused medications.
Medication Drop Off Points
View medication drop off locations here.
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