Accidents involving children in domestic settings are unfortunately very common. Among these incidents, accidental ingestion of toxic substances or medications is particularly concerning. To combat this risk, manufacturers have developed an effective solution: child-resistant closures, also known as child-proof closures.
Principle of Child-Resistant Closures
The concept of child-resistant closures is simple: it is a closure device designed with a level of resistance to opening that makes it difficult for children in the most vulnerable age group to open, while adults should be able to open it without difficulty.
These mechanisms typically involve a combination of actions required for opening. For example, it may be necessary to simultaneously press and twist the cap, or push it down before twisting, which generally exceeds the fine motor skills of very young children.
Importance of Design
The design of child-resistant closures needs to be calibrated. It is important that adults, including the elderly or those who may have reduced grip strength, can still open the container without excessive difficulty. Therefore, the design challenge is to strike a balance between ease of use for adults and resistance to opening for children.
Use and Applications
Child-resistant closures are commonly used on a variety of products. The most common ones are prescription and over-the-counter medications, household chemicals (such as cleaners and detergents), e-liquids for electronic cigarettes, and certain types of cosmetics. These closures are generally required by regulations in many countries for potentially hazardous products.