Those intriguing, squishy, multi-coloured pods of laundry liquid that have been on sale recently are a menace, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced.
The ACCC is encouraging changes to laundry detergent pod packaging after putting the industry on notice that children are being injured by the capsules which can rapidly dissolve in contact with moisture.
"Children who have either ingested these laundry capsules or have been exposed to them have experienced symptoms such as severe skin irritations, coughing, drowsiness, vomiting and even temporary blindness,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.
Poison call centres across Australia have received over 85 calls in the last 18 months relating to exposure to laundry capsules.
The experience in Australia is consistent with an international trend, where most cases have involved a child aged five years or younger.
“Laundry capsules often come in transparent plastic packaging shaped similar to lunchboxes and children appear to be highly attracted to these products as they can be mistaken for toys or confectionery”, Ms Rickard said.
“The capsules are small enough to fit in a child’s hand or be taken into their mouth and can easily burst.”
The ACCC is working with Accord Australasia, the relevant industry association, to improve the safety and packaging of the products.
Ms Rickard also said that parents and carers have a shared responsibility to keep household cleaning products well away from children:
• Keep laundry capsules out of sight and reach of children, preferably in cupboards or storage compartments that they can’t reach, or are lockable.
• Contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 if you believe your child has symptoms of having been exposed to household chemicals such as laundry capsules.
• If laundry detergent or capsules are swallowed by your child, rinse as much of the detergent as possible from their mouth and seek immediate medical advice. If the product comes into contact with your child’s eyes, immediately flush their eyes with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical advice. For medical advice, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
• Ensure your hands are dry before using a laundry capsule and wash and dry your hands thoroughly after use.