Results of a 1986 CPSC survey indicated that many accidental ingestions involving young children occur because pharmacists are sometimes unaware that oral prescription drugs must by law be dispensed in child-resistant-packaging unless non-child resistant containers are specifically requested.
The survey involved 2,015 accidental ingestions of prescription drugs by children under five as reported to nine poison control centers around the country.
Just prior to the accidental ingestion most medicine was stored where it was convenient to take, which made it readily accessible to children. Kitchen counters, kitchen tables and kitchen cabinets were some of the most common storage places.
The survey also found that 31 percent of all the medications involved belonged to someone other than the child's immediate family, such as grandparents and other adults.
The medicines belonging to this group were some of the most toxic in the study and presented the greatest potential for real tragedy.
The survey also indicated that some child resistant containers may be ineffective. The Commission is conducting further studies to determine if these containers meet the requirements of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act.
The CPSC also noted that over the-counter drugs (such as aspirin, and aspirin substitutes), cleaning products (such as oven and drain cleaners), and other household chemicals (including lighter fluids, turpentine, paint solvents, and anti-freeze) are all potential poisons if a young child swallows them.
Under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, CPSC has required that all of these medicines and household chemicals be packaged in child resistant closures. And these closures have been effective in helping to reduce deaths from these products.
But says the CPSC accidental poisonings still happen. In 1984 (latest year for available statistics) there were 64 deaths among children under five who swallowed medicines and other household chemicals. 135,000 children were treated in hospital emergency rooms for accidental inqestions. Many "near-misses" or actual inqestions were telephoned to the poison control centers throughout the U.S. when parents discovered their children with medicines or other household chemicals.
The CPSC, the American Association of Poison Control Centers and the Poison Prevention Week Council urge all consumers to use childresistant packaging and to store medicines and other household chemicals out of sight and out of reach whenever young children are around.
President Reagan has designated March 15-21 as National Poison Prevention Week and issued a Proclamation noting the observance.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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