In 2014, Poison Control Centers received nearly 12,000 calls regarding children ingesting or coming into contact with the concentrated detergent in a laundry pod. Because of this, Consumer Reports has declared that they are no longer recommending the dangerous product and is telling consumers to avoid the product altogther if they have children under the age of 6 in their homes at any time.
They Seem Harmless. Why All the Fuss?
The laundry pods look innocent enough, colorful, soft, gel like packages that can be conveniently thrown into the washing machine. They even smell really good. Good enough to eat- like candy. And there in lies the problem. The sweet smelling packets of poison appeal to toddlers and young children. They look like candy, they smell like candy, they even feel like gummie candy and they taste good too. Small children find them irresistible.
Once a child comes into contact with a pod, the consequences are dire. There have been 2 reported deaths. Thousands of children have been hospitalized. Children have suffered with:
- severe breathing issues and have had to been placed on ventilators
- severe vomiting and have been admitted to ICU’s
- reports of eye injuries including corneal damage
- esophageal damage
- death.
Isn’t it the Parent’s Responsibilty to Put Dangerous Items out of Reach or use Child-Proof Locks?
That is a step that can be taken by parents and caregivers to help prevent injuries like this from occuring. But if you have young children in your home, you know how determined they can be and you know that tragic things can happen in an instant.
I have two children, a boy and a girl and I can tell you that they could be like Houdini sometimes. It never took them long to unlock so called “child-proof” locks or to figure out how to get to items on high shelves.
Once, my 13 month old daughter tried to use her toy riding car as a step stool to reach over a baby gate. She was barely able to walk, but she was clearly ready to start climbing.
Okay, I get it, nothing is truly “child-proof”. So what can be done?
For the time being, use regular liquid detergent or powdered detergent. Take precautions to keep these away from children as well. Manufacturers have agreed to change the packaging on the pods to make them less attractive to children and harder to puncture. They have also agreed to formulate the detergent to make it taste bitter in hopes that if children do manage to ingest the detergent, they won’t try to drink all of it.
For more information about the Consumer Reports decision click here.
For a complete checklist of what to do if you’ve been injured by a dangerous product, click here.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a dangerous or defective product, call The Thomson Law Firm today. An intake specialist is ready to help you. Call today for your free consultation. (540) 777-4900
