You need to take precautions when storing vitamins and supplements. These items are often expensive and you will want to maintain their shelf life. As with any medication, they should be kept safely tucked away, out of reach of curious children - and curious pets!

Heat, humidity and sunlight are the primary factors that reduce the life of vitamins and supplements. They should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place. Keep all caps and seals tight - the tightest airlock offers the longest life. Shelf life will vary from product to product, so be sure to check all vitamins and supplements for this date. Dispose of any outdated products.

You also need to keep them in a safe place - to assure the safety of children and your pets. You should choose locking cabinets or consider adding an eye-hook latch to an existing cabinet, and store these items in cabinets located at eye level or higher. While these products are not as dangerous as medicines, they should be handled with the same precautions.

Labels will be informative about handling and storage. They should give detailed information about storage, shelf life and dosage. If you have any questions you should contact the manufacturer, whose number should be clearly marked on packaging.