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How to Open Child-Resistant Closures on Flexible Pouches
4/22/2026
How Can Flexible Packaging Be Child-Resistant?
For young children who cannot yet read, child-resistant packaging plays an important role in preventing access to potentially harmful products. The U.S. Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), passed by Congress in 1970, requires child-resistance for prescription medications, many over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and a variety of household chemicals and hazardous materials. “Press and turn” caps have been a common closure solution for rigid bottles for many years, helping manufacturers and packagers meet PPPA child-resistant packaging requirements.
Fortunately, innovations in flexible packaging over the past decade have allowed brands to benefit from the advantages of flexible formats while incorporating child-resistant closures. In 2014, the Fresh-Lock team introduced the Child-Guard® track and slider technology, a component designed for flexible pouches that meets strict federal requirements for child-resistance. The Child-Guard® track and slider is designed to be difficult for young children to open, while remaining intuitive for adults, providing a viable child-resistant option for flexible packaging to be used for prescription medications, OTC drugs, and household items like laundry pacs or personal care products.
As a leading manufacturer of recyclable closures for more than 30 years, the Fresh-Lock team enhanced the sustainability of the Child-Guard® track and slider by updating the track to include 25% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. These materials have already served one purpose as a consumer item and were recycled for use in new products, such as this child-resistant slider for flexible packaging.
How to Open the Child-Guard® Slider Technology
Child-resistant packaging is designed to give parents more time to intervene if a young child attempts to open products that require controlled access. Similar to child-safety caps, Child-Guard® requires an additional step to open while maintaining ease of use for adults. Here is how it works:
First, align the slider.
Locate the small notch on one end of the closure’s track. Move the slider along the track until it is aligned with that notch.
Press down on the slider.
Using your thumb or finger, firmly press down on the top part of the slider. This action activates the child-resistant feature by pushing a small internal ridge into the zipper track.
Slide to open.
Once properly depressed, slide the slider across the track to open the pouch.
Close the pouch normally when finished.
To reclose the pouch, simply slide the slider back across the track. It’s not necessary to press down on the top of the slider while closing. Closing the pouch securely helps ensure the child-resistant function is engaged for future use and supports safe storage.
Need help?
Watch our quick video demonstration to see the closure in action.
Child-Resistant Closures for Small Pouches
Since the launch of the original Child-Guard® technology, the Fresh-Lock team has developed press-to-close zippers for child-resistant applications and, more recently, the next-generation slider called Child-Guard® Edge.
Our portfolio of child-resistant closures is designed to meet federal regulations when used as child-resistant pouch components. The child-resistant press-to-close zippers and Child-Guard® Edge are well suited for a variety of pouch sizes and formats, including smaller pouch sizes with high serving counts or multiple use cycles.
Child-Resistant Zippers
Our innovative child-resistant press-to-close zippers feature easy crushing locks and require minimal heat for sealing, helping protect the packaging films from distorting while allowing for faster converting cycles. They work with pre-formed pouches as well as most horizontal and several vertical form/fill/seal packaging systems. And whether your product’s package is recyclable or compostable, these press-to-close child-resistant zippers are available with 100% fully recyclable or certified compostable materials, including a home compostable child-resistant press-to-close zipper option designed to biodegrade under compost conditions within 180 days.
Child-Guard® Edge
While press-to-close child-resistant zippers can work with smaller pouch sizes, a slider can give brands a distinct advantage in terms of convenience and shelf appeal.
Part of the design criteria for Child-Guard® Edge was to focus on enhancing the consumer experience with reduced mass, reliable performance, and high cycle counts. Child-Guard® Edge is ideal for over-the-counter medications, nutraceuticals, supplements, and other types of personal care products. This closure performs with a broad range of film structures for different product applications, and just like the original Child-Guard® technology, Child-Guard® Edge is available with at least 25% PCR materials in the track.
Get Child-Resistant Packaging
With millions of calls made each year to poison centers, the need for child-resistant packaging cannot be understated. To learn more about Child-Guard® technology and the benefits our child-resistant closures can provide your product packaging, contact the Fresh-Lock team today.
