NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

National Poison Prevention Week

Washington, D.C. -- President Reagan has proclaimed the week beginning March 21, as National Poison Prevention Week and designated the period as one for the American people to become more aware of the dangers of accidental poisoning among children and to take appropriate preventive measures.

Twelve years ago, as part of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 which the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission administers, child resistant packaging was put into effect.

The Act provides that certain household products such as aspirins and other drugs, including oral prescription drugs, furniture polish, cleaners for drains or ovens, etc., must be sold in safety packaging that most children under five years of age cannot open.

The child resistant containers for these substances must meet a test that they cannot be opened by 80 percent of children under five but allow access by at least 90 percent of adults.

(The CPSC is presently considering amendments to the PPPA which will allow adults with arthritis and other handicaps to open bottle tops easier, but will not reduce the effectiveness of the child resistant containers. The amendments were discussed at a public meeting held by the CPSC on March 10, 1983.)

The CPSC pointed out that once the impact of child-resistant packaging was felt, the decline in reported accidental ingestions of household substances was dramatically accelerated.

Aspirin, for example, dropped to sixth place after having been the most frequently ingested product by children. Recent reports according to the CPSC show a 65 percent decline in accidental aspirin ingestion and an 83 percent drop in associated fatalities.

The CPSC suggested that National Poison Prevention Week was an ideal time for local communities to highlight ongoing poison prevention programs or initiate new ones.

1983 marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of poison control centers around the country.

The CPSC noted that the four commissioners on the Commission will be visiting a number of communities in various parts of the country calling attention to National Poison Prevention Week.

To report a product hazard or a product related injury, call the CPSC toll free hotline 800-638-CPSC. The teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is 800-638-8270.