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Child-resistant Closures

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at 844SeeMike.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

Children are curious about their world and surroundings, unknowingly putting themselves into dangerous situations. Ordinary products used by adults every day can put a child at-risk for injuries and poisonings, which is why it is important to consider using child-resistant closures.

Child-resistant closures can be any special purpose lock for doors, cabinets, drawers, dishwashers and ovens, and bottles that help prevent children from getting into dangerous things or contents. Since 1970, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has required child-resistant closures on all containers of potentially dangerous household chemicals and medications. However, even with these requirements, the National Safety Council estimates that more than half of the poisonings that happen each year are in children under the age of six (6) and poisonings have become the number one cause of accidental death.

The most common design in child-resistant closures for bottles requires a tab to be pressed while the lid is turned. This method does not require much hand strength, but it is counterintuitive for children to perform easily. Child-resistant closures on pill bottles are not child-proof, so it is often recommended that parents still place all medications and chemicals out of reach of children or in cabinets that are locked.

Cabinet and drawer locks are an inexpensive child-resistant closure that consists of a bendable plastic rod with a blunt hook on the end that is situated within the cabinet or drawer. The hook catches on the edge of the door or drawer, preventing either from opening unless the rod is slightly bent downward to disengage the hook. For areas such as toilets, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and garbage cans, there are strap-like locks that require moving a small slider, which was designed to be especially difficult for children. 

Recent improvements in child-resistant closures include hidden magnetic cabinet locks for handle-less cabinets and drawers. These types of locks can only be opened by a magnetic key and provide a clean and smooth look while protecting your children from accidents and poisonings.

Common reasons that injuries and poisonings occur include:

  • Products are taken from their original containers and put into non-child resistant containers;
  • Products left out of their child-resistant storage areas and within reach of children;
  • Products stored in cabinets or drawers without child-resistant closures;
  • Not using safety packaging or placing child-resistant closures back after use. 

To prevent poisonings and injuries, it is important to keep the national phone number (800-222-1222) for poison control readily available. Children should also be taught about the dangers of chemicals and poisons from an early age. Other tips to prevent injury include:

  • Use only products with child-resistant closures and keep them stored out of reach of children;
  • Use safety latches on any cabinets or drawers that store medications, chemicals, or other dangerous items;
  • Keep all chemicals and medications in their original packaging;
  • Never store non-food items in food or drink containers even if they have been relabeled;
  • Keep matches, lighters, cigarettes, ashtrays, and alcohol out of reach of all children;
  • Never tell a child that medication is candy in an attempt to get them to take it;
  • Keep the names of all household plants on hand;
  • Crawl at child eye level in areas where children will be frequenting and throw away anything that could be harmful;
  • Dispose of expired medications;
  • Be careful when visiting others, when having others visiting your home, or staying in hotels. Purses and suitcases can have hidden dangers and destinations may not have the same child-resistant safety measures in place;
  • When giving medications, make sure to read the label every time and do not give medication in the dark. 

It is also important to keep in mind that child-resistant does not mean child-proof and accidents can still occur when child-resistant closures are used, which is why parents, guardians, and caregivers must remain vigilant in supervising their children, especially when chemicals, medications, and other dangerous items could be within reach. 

If your child has been injured in an accident, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google.  Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7. 

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