Background
Invented in 1967 by Dr. Henri Breault. A Canadian medical doctor and researcher who was instrumental in the creation of the first child proof containers. To the left, this was Breault's design for childproof container.
Originally named "Palm N Turn". This invention has lead to reduction of accidental medicine ingestion. It was later first adopted by Ontario College of Pharmacy and Ontario was the first place to make child-proof lids mandatory for all medicine bottles in 1974.
Back in USA, in 1970. President Nixon signed into law the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) of 1970. This law required the use of child-resistant packaging for prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, household chemicals, and other hazardous materials that could be considered dangerous for children.
Before these laws, unintentional poisonings by both medicines and common household products were considered by most pediatricians to be the leading cause of injury to children aged 5 and under. At that time there were about 500 deaths per year being reported for children aged 5 and under. .[1] The purpose of the PPPA was to protect children from ingesting harmful chemicals and prescription medications by accident. After the PPPA was implemented, deaths in children aged 5 and under went down by 1.4 per million. This represented a reduction in the rate of fatalities, up to 45%, from projections of deaths without the presence of child-proof packaging and equated to an average of 24 fewer deaths in children annually.[2]
So as you can see, Dr. Breault invention saved countless of lives to this day.
List of substances that fall under the PPPA Law
Aspirin. Any aspirin-containing product intended for oral administration by humans
Furniture polish. Non-emulsion type liquid furniture polishes containing 10% or more of mineral seal oil and/or other petroleum distillates, other than those packaged in pressurized spray containers.
Methyl salicylate. Liquid preparations containing more than 5% by weight of methyl salicylate, other than those packaged in pressurized spray containers.
Controlled drugs. Any product intended for human use that consists in whole or in part of any substance subject to control under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 and that is in a dosage form intended for oral administration.
Sodium and/or potassium hydroxide. Household substances in dry forms such as granules, powder, and flakes containing 10% or more by weight of free or chemically deneutralized sodium and/or potassium hydroxide.
Turpentine. Household substances in liquid form containing 10% or more by weight of turpentine.
Kindling and/or illuminating preparations. Prepackaged liquid kindling and/or illuminating preparations, such as lighter fuel for cigarettes, charcoal, torches, and others, which contain 10% or more by weight of petroleum distillates.
Methyl alcohol (methanol). Household substances in liquid form containing 4% or more by weight of methyl alcohol (methanol), other than those packaged in pressurized spray containers.
Sulfuric acid. Household substances containing 10% or more by weight or sulfuric acid, except substances in wet-cell storage batteries.
Prescription drugs. Any drug that is intended for human use that is in a dosage form intended for oral administration and that is required by Federal law to be dispensed only by or upon an oral or written prescription of a practitioner licensed by law to administer such drug except for the following:
Sublingual and chewable forms of isosorbide dinitrate in dosage strengths of 10 mg or less.
Erythromycin ethylsuccinate granules for oral suspension and oral suspensions in packages containing no more than 8 grams of the equivalent of erythromycin.
Anhydrous cholestyramine in powder form.
All unit dose forms of potassium supplements, including individually wrapped effervescent tablets, unit dose vials of liquid potassium, and powdered potassium in unit-dose packets containing no more than 50 milliequivalents of potassium per unit dose.
Sodium fluoride drug preparations including liquid and tablet forms containing no more than 110 mg of sodium fluoride per package.
Betamethasone tablets packaged in manufacturers' dispenser packages containing no more than 12.6 mg of betamethasone.
Prednisone in tablet form, when dispensed in packages containing no more than 105 mg.
Methylprednisone in tablet form in packages containing no more than 84 mg of the drug.
Colestipol in powder form in packages containing no more than 5 grams of the drug.
Conjugated estrogen tablets when dispensed in mnemonic packages containing no more than 32 mg of the drug.
Ethylene glycol. Household substances in liquid form containing 10% or more by weight of ethylene glycol packaged on or after June 1, 1974.
Acetaminophen. Any product that is intended for human use in a dosage form intended for oral administration and containing in a single package a total of more than 1 gram of acetaminophen except for the following:
Unflavored acetaminophen containing preparations in powder form, other than those intended for pediatric use, that are packaged in unit doses providing no more than 13 grains of acetaminophen per unit dose.
Ibuprofen. Any product that is intended for human use in a dosage form intended for oral administration and containing 1 gram or more of ibuprofen in a single package.[3]
Is Child proof really child proof?
The answer is no. It is child resistant. It is important to remember the intent is to slow children down. They are not designed to keep them out completely. As you know children of varying ages will be able to figure it out, if given enough time. Good example, you see those 4 year children who understand how to use an Apple Ipad. Kids learn fast.
Child-resistant packages do not replace the need for proper storage and adult supervision. Follow these tips to help keep young children safe from poisonings and overdoses:
Household products and medicines should be stored in their original containers in a place that is up and away and out of sight of young children. Locked cabinets are best if this is possible.
Children should not be left alone in areas where medicines and household products are stored.
Medicine bottles should not be used as rattles to entertain a child during diaper changing or when they are fussy.
After using a product, take a moment to make sure the lid or closure is secure.
Never tell a child that medicine is candy.[4]
We hope you enjoyed our brief history on child resistant invention by Dr. Breault.
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