When Safety Caps Fail: Annual Report on Pediatric Poisoning
It’s a terrifying moment for a parent: realizing a child has swallowed something dangerous. Whether it’s prescription medication, household cleaners or even vitamins, this kind of unintentional ingestion can lead to serious injury or death. Despite decades of safety regulations, the risk remains real — and in some cases, products may not be as child-resistant as you think.
According to the latest report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, unintentional poisonings among children under five resulted in 90 deaths in 2023. Although that reflects a slight 7% decrease from 2022, the previous year saw a sharp 64% increase from 2021. Overall, pediatric poisoning deaths have risen dramatically in recent years, reaching levels not seen since the early 1990s.
Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) shows that unintentional poisonings in children under age 5 led to:
- About 68,600 emergency room visits in 2022, up from 62,600 in 2021; and
- About 67,000 emergency room visits in 2023, a relatively small drop from the number in 2022.
In 2023, about 48,200 poisonings—72 percent of all cases—happened at home. Around 17,500 cases (26 percent) took place in unknown locations. The rest happened in places like streets, daycare centers, parks, or other public areas. Most children (81 percent) were treated at the hospital and then sent home. Thirteen percent had to be admitted or sent to another hospital, and the remaining 6 percent were either kept for observation or left before being seen by a doctor.
What’s behind these numbers? In many cases, it's the everyday products we all keep in our homes — from medications and dietary supplements to bleach and laundry pods. These items can be attractive to young children and shockingly easy to access if safety features fail or if packaging isn’t truly child resistant.
Since the Poison Prevention Packaging Act passed in 1970, manufacturers have been required to use child-resistant packaging for many drugs and household products. But “child-resistant” doesn’t mean “child-proof.” Curious toddlers can still open containers if the packaging is faulty or if it's not properly secured after use. Prevention is the first line of defense. Always store hazardous products out of reach and out of sight. Lock medications in cabinets and never assume a safety cap alone is enough.
If your child or a loved one was injured by a product, you owe it to yourself to fully explore your legal options. Contact one of Philadelphia’s top law firms product liability cases to set a mutually convenient time to speak.