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Poison Prevention Week - Why it's important to use the word 'Child-Resistant' NOT 'Childproof'
Beth Mack • March 6, 2020
Child-Resistant Packaging is NOT Childproof Packaging
At Bird Dog Marketing Group, we wince at the word ‘childproof’ because it provides an opening for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and the public to let their guard down when it comes to protecting children from accidental poisoning.
In 1970, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission introduced the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) to protect children from serious personal injury or serious illness resulting from handling, using or ingesting hazardous household substances.
As defined by the CPSC in the Poison Prevention Packaging Act – Section 2 (4): The term “special packaging” means packaging that is designed or constructed to be significantly difficult for children under five years of age to open or obtain a toxic or harmful amount of the substance contained therein within a reasonable time and not difficult for normal adults to use properly, but does not mean packaging which all such children cannot open or obtain a toxic or harmful amount within a reasonable time.
Childproof packaging does not exist; however, child-resistant packaging does provide a ‘firewall’ of time to hopefully keep children out of the package long enough for a parent or caregiver to see the child trying to open the package.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines childproof as “designed to prevent tampering or opening.” For poison prevention packaging purposes, this definition of ‘childproof’ would indicate that children cannot open the package ever. There really is no such thing as childproof packaging – given enough time and determination some children under the age of 5 will find a way to open the package. Children are born to be inquisitive – it’s how they learn about life. Unfortunately, their curiosity can cause them harm or even death in the wrong situation.
As an expert in child-resistant package testing, the Bird Dog Marketing Group team educates clients about child safety and child-resistant packaging every day and unfortunately, we find the terms ‘childproof’ and ‘child-resistant’ often being used interchangeably.
During Poison Prevention Week and throughout the year, it’s important to remember that children are always watching and picking up clues about how life works. In some cases, this is a wonderful thing – they are learning how to feed themselves, how to put on their own socks, and how to run. But they are also watching when you open a bottle of medicine, where you placed the medicine bottle and how you opened the sink cabinet to put away the colorful dishwasher pods that look like candy. Here is a link to our Top Ten List - How to Protect Children from Accidental Poisoning.
As parents and caregivers, we can NEVER let down our guard when it comes to child safety. Always use child-resistant packaging and be proactive about how you handle and store harmful medicines, chemicals and household goods.
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), enacted in 1970, is one of the cornerstones of child safety regulations in the United States. Its primary goal is to prevent children from accessing hazardous household substances like medications, household chemicals, and other toxic products. As part of this initiative, the law requires certain products to be packaged in child-resistant containers. The question is: how did the government determine the specific age ranges of children who should be tested for these packaging requirements?
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act: A Milestone in Child Safety
Dispelling the Myth: Why There is No Such Thing as Child-Proof Packaging. In the realm of product safety, particularly concerning items like medications, household cleaners, and chemicals, the term "child-proof packaging" is commonly used. However, despite its widespread usage, the concept of truly child-proof packaging is a misnomer. We will delve into why there's no such thing as completely child-proof packaging and what measures can be taken to enhance child safety.
Every year, thousands of children under the age of five face serious health risks due to unintentional poisonings. This article will review the statistics, explain how child-resistant packaging works, and detail how parents can help keep their children safe from accidental poisoning.
Our test proctors administering adult-use package testing are often asked, “Why are you only testing adults 50-70 years of age?” Here’s the story behind that decision. When the U.S. Congress passed the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 (PPPA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) required child-resistant packaging for specific drugs and household chemicals that could harm children. Package manufacturers developed and introduced new child-resistant packaging to comply with the requirements. Per the PPPA, the specialty packaging required certification that they were child-resistant. At the time, the adult-use effectiveness portion of the package test protocols included adult test subjects 18-45 years of age, a significant change from our current adult-use effectiveness subjects who are 50-70.
As the world leader in child-resistant and senior-friendly package testing, Bird Dog Marketing Group considers ISO 17025 accreditation an essential requirement for all testing laboratories, and this is why we choose to be audited for accreditation annually. Our global customers have the assurance that they can trust the results we provide to them on every test.
BDMG is proud to celebrate 55 years of child-resistant package testing, continuing Gene Miller's legacy of saving children's lives from accidental poisoning. Many things have changed since the passage of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970, but the dedication of our team and our clients to working together in the testing of child-resistant packaging has remained the same.
Here is a great resource for tips on protecting your children and grandchildren from accidental poisoning, choking, burns, and other household hazards. It's a reminder of how quickly a child's ability to access potentially harmful situations changes and the need to always be one step ahead! #childsafety #childsafetyandprotectionmonth https://www.safekids.org/safetytips
Today we are celebrating our Regional Manager, Julie Burke. Thank you for the important work you are doing to save children from accidental poisoning...you are making a difference.
This is an ongoing listing of CPSC Product Recall Information.
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