(CNN) - A new study published in the in the Journal Pediatrics says the number of children admitted to hospitals for opioid overdose has nearly doubled since 2004.
Researchers believe many of the overdoses were likely caused by the child taking prescription medications after discovering them at home.
"Since the end of December 2016, we have seen and amazing alarming increase in accidental overdose deaths," said Dr. Kent E. Harshbarger, a Montgomery County Ohio Corner.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said about 60,000 children end up in emergency rooms each year because they're ingesting medication while adults are not watching.
Researchers said ways to protect children include, keeping medicines out of children's reach and sight, and locking them up if you need to.
They also said to always put medicine away immediately, even daily vitamins.
Also, never tell children that medicine is candy, researchers said.
Copyright 2018 CNN. All rights reserved.
