My then spouse had some kind of ongoing prescription (don’t recall what) that was in a child-proof bottle. It was flawed and could NOT be opened (I understand how they work, and could see that the ratchet mechanism, inaccessible, was malformed). I cut the lid off with one blow of a cleaver and we kept her meds in a bowl for the month. When I took the bottle back for a renewal, the pharmacist raised his eyebrows… and I explained. When he handed me the renewed prescription it was in an easy-open bottle. No questions asked.
I have my wife open my pill bottles for me since I have arthritis in both hands. Two months ago I had my second hand surgery and I’m only now starting to be able to open some of them and other jars. Soon I’ll be able to wear jeans and other things with buttons again.
I was just saying today that, since our new car has push buttons instead of a shifter, we’d be screwed if either of us ever has right-hand surgery leaving us with weak fingers.
And that’s why I have my pharmacy put on non-childproof caps. It’s right there in my patient info. A bottle will occasionally slip by them but that’s why I never toss out the empty bottle until I have the new one… if they miss the cap, I just switch it with the old cap. Also helps that I only have to open them on Saturday evenings when I refill my pill organizer ;)
For those “childproof” caps on medicine bottles – use a large rubber band and wrap it around the lid. Then press down and turn on the lid. It usually opens with minimum strength (for me, anyway, but it’s worth a try).
Pliers, scissors and rubber gloves and a can/bottle opener all essentials in my kitchen and separate from the regular toolbox. Also cleaned spice bottle with sharpie/painters tape label.
When I was having some blood drawn a few months ago, the tech said that the elastic band around my arm was great for opening jars. When she took the band off, I took it from her and dropped it into my purse. It’s the best thing ever for those jars I can’t get open. My hand doesn’t slip and the band really grips the lid.
I bet there are seniors out there that got a bottle of kid proof by mistake that can’t get their meds opened. Some older people have to rely on others to even pick up their meds. I understand the need for kid proof but it’s a question all pharmacists and their techs need to ask people when they refill prescriptions. Our current pharmacy uses lids that are kid proof on one side and screw off lids on the other side. I sometimes wonder what I’d do if I lost my husband because most of the time, I can’t get jars open. I’ll be taking them to the neighbors to open.
Right after child proof caps came out, my father came home to find the aspirin bottle shattered on the kitchen counter and a claw hammer laying next to all the aspirins scattered over the counter. My mother had a headache. ;)
sipsienwa Premium Member 26 days ago
Get the grandkid. Kids can open the childproof caps on a lot of things.
sirbadger 26 days ago
I have a pair of adjustable pliers in the kitchen.
Concretionist 26 days ago
My then spouse had some kind of ongoing prescription (don’t recall what) that was in a child-proof bottle. It was flawed and could NOT be opened (I understand how they work, and could see that the ratchet mechanism, inaccessible, was malformed). I cut the lid off with one blow of a cleaver and we kept her meds in a bowl for the month. When I took the bottle back for a renewal, the pharmacist raised his eyebrows… and I explained. When he handed me the renewed prescription it was in an easy-open bottle. No questions asked.
oldthang 26 days ago
Hey—I made the comics!
Ratkin Premium Member 26 days ago
I have my wife open my pill bottles for me since I have arthritis in both hands. Two months ago I had my second hand surgery and I’m only now starting to be able to open some of them and other jars. Soon I’ll be able to wear jeans and other things with buttons again.
cowboy27 26 days ago
No safety caps for me.
ꜝ 26 days ago
“push down and turn” ain’t so bad – it’s the ones where you have to align the ⧎ arrows that give me trouble
Purple People Eater 26 days ago
I sometimes saw the cap off using a bread knife.
montymiff 26 days ago
I was just saying today that, since our new car has push buttons instead of a shifter, we’d be screwed if either of us ever has right-hand surgery leaving us with weak fingers.
kantuck-nadie 26 days ago
I’ve said many times. “You can fix anything with a big enough sledgehammer” (giggles)
iggyman 26 days ago
When all else fails, get a bigger hammer, right Earl?!
Dr_Fogg 26 days ago
With finesse!!! LOL!!!
Dwight Schmiddlapp 26 days ago
I didn’t know finesse is a synonym for hammer.
Doug K 26 days ago
Not everyone has the skills it takes to open a pill bottle with a hammer with finesse.
Caretaker24523 26 days ago
And that’s why I have my pharmacy put on non-childproof caps. It’s right there in my patient info. A bottle will occasionally slip by them but that’s why I never toss out the empty bottle until I have the new one… if they miss the cap, I just switch it with the old cap. Also helps that I only have to open them on Saturday evenings when I refill my pill organizer ;)
1953Baby 26 days ago
OMG, I thought it was just me. . .every darn bottle. . .
assrdood 26 days ago
For years I’ve been using an empty bullion jar for aspirin.
Strawberry King 26 days ago
I wonder if they have something for tight pill bottle lids at IKEA.
win.45mag 26 days ago
You can tell he’s a jack of no trades by the way he’s choking up on the hammer handle.
JudithStocker Premium Member 26 days ago
For those “childproof” caps on medicine bottles – use a large rubber band and wrap it around the lid. Then press down and turn on the lid. It usually opens with minimum strength (for me, anyway, but it’s worth a try).
carlsonbob 26 days ago
Yeah, those child proof bottles can be a real pain for those with arthritis in their hands.
ANIMAL 26 days ago
You can GET ’em without the safety caps…… I think
anomalous4 26 days ago
I’ll bet Nelson could open it properly…
Thehag 26 days ago
Pliers, scissors and rubber gloves and a can/bottle opener all essentials in my kitchen and separate from the regular toolbox. Also cleaned spice bottle with sharpie/painters tape label.
Queen of America 26 days ago
When I was having some blood drawn a few months ago, the tech said that the elastic band around my arm was great for opening jars. When she took the band off, I took it from her and dropped it into my purse. It’s the best thing ever for those jars I can’t get open. My hand doesn’t slip and the band really grips the lid.
Katzi428 26 days ago
Curse those “childproof” caps!
markkahler52 26 days ago
An especially made tool for this would make millions, at least….
Coopergirl Premium Member 26 days ago
I bet there are seniors out there that got a bottle of kid proof by mistake that can’t get their meds opened. Some older people have to rely on others to even pick up their meds. I understand the need for kid proof but it’s a question all pharmacists and their techs need to ask people when they refill prescriptions. Our current pharmacy uses lids that are kid proof on one side and screw off lids on the other side. I sometimes wonder what I’d do if I lost my husband because most of the time, I can’t get jars open. I’ll be taking them to the neighbors to open.
vonskippy 26 days ago
Next time Earl, even if you could open the bottle, don’t – Grump a$$ Opal doesn’t deserve your help.
David Huie Green AmericaIsGreatItHasUs 25 days ago
The invention of the hammer was a Great Leap Forward for masculinity.
wlbr549 25 days ago
Those adult-proof lids can be a real “pill”.
theoldidahofox 25 days ago
Shakespeare said it: First, we kill all the packaging engineers.
jensensteve165 25 days ago
An excellent use of a “Gentle Persuader” tool…
CleverHans Premium Member 25 days ago
Now Opal will need help opening the migraine pill bottle. What will she do?
gooddavid 25 days ago
Right after child proof caps came out, my father came home to find the aspirin bottle shattered on the kitchen counter and a claw hammer laying next to all the aspirins scattered over the counter. My mother had a headache. ;)
cracker65 24 days ago
Hahahaha