Statement of the Honorable Mary Sheila Gall

Today I voted in favor of a final rule under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) requiring that certain substances containing hydrocarbons be placed in child-resistant (CR or child safe) packaging. The data developed by the staff amply demonstrates that the criteria of the PPPA for requiring CR packaging for these substances have been met. Placing hydrocarbons in CR packaging will help to reduce the number of accidental ingestions, especially of substances that people have little reason to suspect of being hazardous, such as baby oil.

Child-resistant packaging of any substance is, however, only the "last line of defense" against accidental ingestions of harmful substances. The incidents investigated by the staff showed examples of where substances distributed in CR packaging had been placed by consumers in non-CR packaging and subsequently ingested by children. The staff also uncovered ingestions where a CR package had been left open. No CR packaging will fulfill its intended purpose unless the harmful substance is kept in CR packaging and the CR closure used.

Adults who keep substances that may harm children should store them where children will not have access to them. Such substances should not be removed from CR packaging until they are used, and the CR features should be reengaged whenever the product is put away. Finally, all parents and caregivers should keep the telephone number of a poison control center handy so that competent advice can be sought if an ingestion does occur. This combination of handling and packaging should reduce both the number and the severity of children's poisonings.

Child-resistant packaging is related to  rx bags，plastic bags, liquid ovals, white packer, PET rounds with C/R cap, vials with dual purpose cap. vials with child resistant cap.