We use pens as tools for writing down random things throughout the day, so we tend to overlook the intricate details of a pen. Have you ever noticed the tiny hole that is present in their caps? Have you ever wondered why that hole is even there in the first place?
You might think it was only put there to allow the pen to close properly in the cap by depressurizing it. However, it was actually put their as a lifesaving tactic...
Are you the type of person who has a habit of chewing on your pen caps? Maybe you noticed that you do it, or maybe someone else pointed it out to you. Or, maybe your children are always after them. It is a habit among children and adults more than people realize. Although it might be a better habit to have than doing other things, chewing on pen caps can actually pose a dangerous choking threat.
Not many people know this, but there is a very important reason why pen caps always have a hole at the top. The hole will provide more airflow to someone in the event they swallowed a cap. Pen companies, such as BIC, decided to do this, as a fail-safe to protect children and adults in case they accidentally started choking on one. By having a hole on the top of it, the cap still allows people to breathe until they can get help.
On their website, BIC explains in further detail the reasoning behind wanting to do this for their customers. They shared:
"In addition to help prevent the pen from leaking, all our BIC caps comply with international safety standards that attempt to minimize the risk of children accidentally inhaling pen caps. Some of these vented caps, like that used for the BIC Cristal, has a little hole in the top to comply with the existing safety standards."
What people may not know, is that sadly 100 people on average die each year from choking on their pen caps. 100 is a lot less than how many used to die yearly from choking on pen caps, but it certainly would be better if no one choked on them at all. Mimicking what BIC started to do, now other pen companies are joining in by adding holes to their pen caps as well.
The reason why choking deaths from pen caps have reduced over the years is because of the hole placed on top of the caps. However, if you were in a situation where your loved one was choking, would you know what to do? If not, the Mayo Clinic provides a handy step-by-step guide on how to help them.
Watch this video to learn more about why holes on pen caps are beneficial.
Sometimes habits are hard to break. Chewing on pen caps is a habit, but at least BIC and the other pen companies have your back, by providing a hole in the cap in case you accidentally swallow one. This way, you can still get some airflow while proceeding to get help.