Name: Bird Dog Marketing
Address: 166 Farmington Lane, Lancaster, PA, 17601
Telephone: 717-615-9022
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Poison Prevention Week - Why it's important to use the word 'Child-Resistant' NOT 'Childproof'

Beth Mack • Mar 06, 2020

Child-Resistant Packaging is NOT Childproof Packaging

At Bird Dog Marketing Group, we wince at the word ‘childproof’ because it provides an opening for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and the public to let their guard down when it comes to protecting children from accidental poisoning.

In 1970, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission introduced the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) to protect children from serious personal injury or serious illness resulting from handling, using or ingesting hazardous household substances.

As defined by the CPSC in the Poison Prevention Packaging Act – Section 2 (4): The term “special packaging” means packaging that is designed or constructed to be significantly difficult for children under five years of age to open or obtain a toxic or harmful amount of the substance contained therein within a reasonable time and not difficult for normal adults to use properly, but does not mean packaging which all such children cannot open or obtain a toxic or harmful amount within a reasonable time.

Childproof packaging does not exist; however, child-resistant packaging does provide a ‘firewall’ of time to hopefully keep children out of the package long enough for a parent or caregiver to see the child trying to open the package.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines childproof as “designed to prevent tampering or opening.” For poison prevention packaging purposes, this definition of ‘childproof’ would indicate that children cannot open the package ever. There really is no such thing as childproof packaging – given enough time and determination some children under the age of 5 will find a way to open the package. Children are born to be inquisitive – it’s how they learn about life. Unfortunately, their curiosity can cause them harm or even death in the wrong situation.

As an expert in child-resistant package testing, the Bird Dog Marketing Group team educates clients about child safety and child-resistant packaging every day and unfortunately, we find the terms ‘childproof’ and ‘child-resistant’ often being used interchangeably.

During Poison Prevention Week and throughout the year, it’s important to remember that children are always watching and picking up clues about how life works. In some cases, this is a wonderful thing – they are learning how to feed themselves, how to put on their own socks, and how to run. But they are also watching when you open a bottle of medicine, where you placed the medicine bottle and how you opened the sink cabinet to put away the colorful dishwasher pods that look like candy. Here is a link to our Top Ten List - How to Protect Children from Accidental Poisoning.

As parents and caregivers, we can NEVER let down our guard when it comes to child safety. Always use child-resistant packaging and be proactive about how you handle and store harmful medicines, chemicals and household goods.

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What Does It Mean To Be ISO 17025 Accredited?

By Mark Perkins • 10 Apr, 2024

What Does It Mean To Be ISO 17025 Accredited? As the world leader in child-resistant and senior-friendly package testing, Bird Dog Marketing Group considers ISO 17025 accreditation an essential requirement for all testing laboratories, and this is why we choose to be audited for accreditation annually. Our global customers have the assurance that they can trust the results we provide to them on every test. What is ISO 17025 Accreditation? ISO 17025 accreditation, the international standard created by the International Organization for Standardization, is pivotal for testing laboratories, ensuring a globally recognized standard of quality and reliability in their management system and technical competence. It is comprised of various requirements and guidelines use by laboratory customers, regulation boards, accreditation authorities, and organizations to verify, recognize and ensure the competency impartially, and consistent operation of laboratories in their testing and calibration processes. It is particularly crucial for those offering Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ISO, and CSA child-resistant package testing services, as it validates the precision, accuracy, and consistency of our testing methods. Why ISO 17025 Accreditation Matters to Bird Dog Marketing Group? ISO 17025 accreditation not only bolsters confidence among our clients regarding the credibility of our test results, but it also aligns with testing procedures with international standards, facilitating the acceptance of test results across international borders and industries. This ensures the child-resistant package testing results BDMG completes for your company can be used for package distribution globally. Ultimately, we believe that for laboratories committed to excellence in CPSC, ISO, and CSA testing, ISO 17025 is not just a benchmark, but a necessity for ensuring quality, fostering trust, and expanding global reach. As a global leader in child-resistant package testing for over 55 years, Bird Dog Marketing Group is committed to your product’s excellence through the highest standards of testing protocols. I look forward to continuing the discussion and answering any questions you may have. ~ Mark Perkins, Co-CEO, Bird Dog Marketing Group