We assume that child safety caps will protect our kids. After all, you must push down and twist; even adults often struggle opening these caps. If difficult for an adult, surely a child can’t open a child resistant safety cap, right? Think again.
A recent study showed that children as young four-years-of-age were able to open bottles with child resistant caps. The Today Show invited kids to a “playdate” to test these findings. The kids were asked to try and take off the caps of common medicine bottles. Every child was able to open at least one bottle, with some children able to open two or three with ease. (Watch the video here.) This was a big eye-opener for the parents and reaffirmed that child-resistant does not mean childproof. Safety caps offer only one thin layer of protection against accidental poisonings.
Did you know that under federal law, these caps don’t have to be childproof ˗ just child-resistant? Should regulations be tighter? According to Kate Carr of Safe Kids, no. “We don’t want to make it impossible to open something. What we want to make sure is that kids can’t get to medicine.”
Any medicine or vitamins – even those you buy without a prescription – can cause harm if taken in the wrong way or by the wrong person. While it may be unrealistic to lock medicine in a cabinet, it can and should be put up and out of a child’s reach and sight. It is equally important to teach children about medicine safety. Never tell children medicine is candy to get them to take it. If your child does get into any medications, call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 immediately. For more medication safety tips visit Safe Kids Worldwide.
What do you think; should the laws be tougher or parents more vigilant?
Mark Bello is the CEO and General Counsel of Lawsuit Financial Corporation, a pro-justice lawsuit funding company.
