Why Child-Resistant Packaging Is Essential for Kid Safety?

No matter how old they get, kids are always curious about the world around them. Touching everything, opening drawers, chewing random objects, and sometimes getting into things aren't uncommon for them. 

Parents or caregivers struggle to keep an eye on their children at all times despite their best efforts. Thousands of children under age 5 face serious health issues due to unintentional poisoning. 

How should we proceed in this situation?

In this case, child resistant packaging, also known as C-R packaging, comes in handy. 

We don't tend to think about it until something goes wrong, and that's one of those things. Occasionally, however, it can mean the difference between a close call and a trip to the emergency room, which is significant.

So, what exactly is child resistant packaging? And why should every parent, brand, and product maker take it seriously? 

Let’s talk about that in simple words in this blog. Therefore keep reading this blog until last to get the most useful information about this crucial topic.

The growing CRP market, valued at USD 24.9 billion in 2023 with a CAGR of over 6.5% from 2024 to 2032. The trend reflects the growing desire for safer packaging. (Source: Grand View Research - Child-Resistant Packaging).

What Is Child Resistant Packaging?

In simple terms, child-resistant packaging is a type of packaging that is designed to keep young children (under 5 years old) from opening containers that hold stuff they shouldn’t touch. It includes medicines, cleaning liquids, or even things like vape juice. These specialized packaging are designed in a way to reduce the alarming number of accidental poisonings. 

Even though C-R packaging is often advertised as "child-proof," it is not designed to be impenetrable. Instead, it is designed so that adults can manipulate it easily while young children cannot. It is important to ensure that content is accessible to older adults and people with disabilities.  

Data indicates that CRP has saved lives. According to a study, aspirin-related child deaths decreased by 34% after CRP was introduced. In the post-regulatory study period 1973-1990, this reduction in mortality rate prevented about 90 children deaths.

You’ve probably seen child-resistant packaging on:

• Medicine bottles with push-and-turn caps
• Spray cleaners with squeeze-and-twist lids.
• Cannabis containers with tricky button locks
• Detergent pods in zippered pouches

So, what's behind all of this? 

Kids are quick to get into different things. Even when you’re being super careful, it only takes a moment for them to get into things.

What is the Importance of Child-Resistant Packaging? 7 Solid Reasons

Nowadays, children are so curious that they try to explore everything while being unaware of the dangers of household products like cleaning agents, medications, and toxic chemicals. This is where the need emerges for a packaging solution that can prevent them from opening or exploring these products.

CRP does more than just follow laws; it gives parents peace of mind and helps brands look more trustworthy. 

Here are some reasons why child-resistant packaging is a big deal for parents and companies. 

1) Kids Safety from Getting Poisoned

One of the fundamental advantages of child-resistant packaging is stopping kids from accidentally getting poisoned by chemicals like pills or cleaners. Young kids aged less than 5 often think these look like candy or juice. 

The special packaging comes with extra measures like caps you have to push and turn, which makes it hard for kids to open these items. For example, after a law required child-resistant caps for aspirin, fewer kids got sick or died from it, dropping by about a third. 

This kind of packaging is like a safety lock that kids can’t easily figure out, helping to keep them safe from harmful stuff at home. Nowadays, most companies are benefiting by implementing child-resistant packaging through greater safety, reduced risks, and improved customer perception. 

2) Follows Safety Rules

By using child-resistant packaging, companies can comply with important safety laws without getting into trouble. A Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 says certain products, like medicines and chemicals, need packaging that’s hard for kids to open. In simple terms, it should be child-resistant. 

This law includes the CRP of the following items:

• Aspirin
• Furniture polish
• Methyl salicylate
• Controlled drugs
• Sodium and/or potassium hydroxide
• Methyl alcohol
• Sulfuric acid
• Drugs
• Paint solvents

The government checks that 80% of young kids can’t open the packaging of the above products in 10 minutes. If companies don’t use this packaging, they could face fines or have to pull their products off shelves. For example, after some kids got sick from baby oil, the government made companies use child-resistant packaging for it in 2003. 

Using this packaging shows companies care about keeping kids safe and helps them stay out of legal problems while keeping their products in stores.

3) Makes Companies Reputable

The use of child-resistant packaging makes a company appear trustworthy and caring. Kids' safety is a major concern for parents, so brands focusing on it tend to build loyalty from them. 

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, child-resistant packaging reduced oral prescription drug-related mortality by 1.40 (95% confidence interval, 0.85-1.95 deaths) per million children younger than 5 years.

Medicinal companies that use hard-to-open packaging for powerful drugs, for instance, gained more customer trust. Meanwhile, companies that did not use safe packaging for things like laundry pods were criticized when children got injured.

4) Keeps Young Kids Safe

In order to protect young children who don't know what's dangerous, child-resistant packaging is imperative. It is common for children to be curious about everything, including medicines and cleaners. 

As 90% of poisonings occur in the home, this packaging is essential, especially for busy families with multiple children or grandkids visiting. Kids can't get into dangerous items if packages have tricky locks or tough zippers. 

As a result, parents will have a bit more time to catch any trouble and stop it before it gets worse.

5) Leads to Better Packaging Ideas

Children-resistant packaging has prompted companies to come up with innovative ideas. The old-school caps have evolved into things like zippers that kids can't open and packages that warn when someone tampers with them. 

These ideas contribute to the safety and usefulness of industries such as medicine and cannabis. Child-resistant packages contribute to the safety, ease of use, and environmental friendliness of products all at the same time.

6) Builds Trust with Shoppers

Parental confidence is enhanced by child-resistant packaging since it indicates that companies are concerned about the safety of the products they sell. Since kids got sick, laundry pods used safer packaging, resulting in a greater level of trust among parents. 

It is also important to note that these packages are safe, meaning they have passed tough safety tests. Companies that use things such as hard-to-open medicine packs or secure zippers encourage parents to keep buying and recommending the brand. 

Families feel confident that the products they bring home are safe for their children as a result of this trust.

7) Helps Keep Everyone Healthier

Children's health and safety are improved through child-resistant packaging. It is important to know how to store and package dangerous items properly through events like National Poison Prevention Week in March. 

The same type of packaging is required for medicines in other countries as well, such as Australia. Child-resistant packaging contributes to these health efforts, teaches families how to stay safe, and reduces the sadness that comes with children getting hurt. Community safety and health are important for everyone in communities.

Ultimately, child-resistant packaging is important because of its ability to act as proactive safety measures. It greatly reduces the risk of accidental poisoning and contributes to a healthier household environment. 

In 2024, the CRP market was valued at USD 28.61 billion but is predicted to reach USD 54.71 billion by 2034 due to tighter regulations and pharmaceutical growth. (Source: Towards Packaging - CRP Market).

Innovations in Child-Resistant Packaging Designs

Here are some innovations in child-resistant packaging.

Final Thoughts

• If you're a parent: Whenever possible, choose products in child-resistant pouches. Store them safely, out of reach, and locked when possible.
• If you're a business: Use smart packaging. Customer and company protection is provided by it.
• If you're a retailer: Educate your buyers. People want to feel safe bringing your products into their homes.