Child-resistant packaging and accidental child poisoning

Abstract

From Jan. 1, 1976, all children's aspirin and paracetamol preparations were required to be presented either in child-resistant containers or in dark-tinted unit packaging. In two areas hospital admissions of children under 5 years for accidental ingestion of aspirin were monitored from 1974 to 1976 to assess the effectiveness of this measure. There was a highly significant fall in admissions for accidental salicylate poisoning (129 in 1975 to 48 in 1976, P less than 0-001). Admissions fell throughout 1976 as old stocks were used up. Further analysis of cases in one area suggests that the fall in admissions from accidental salicylate poisoning was due to the packaging of one preparation of junior aspirin in child-resistant containers.