Detergent Pods Shouldn't Look Like Candy!
Some of those ever-so-convenient laundry detergent pods have proven dangerous to our small children, but they don't have to be!
Since early 2012, poison-control centers nationwide have received reports of nearly 7,700 pod-related exposures to children age 5 years and younger.
The bright colors, small packages and gummy texture of the pods are very attractive to young children. A child can easily mistake it for a treat.
A single bite into these concentrated pods can lead to drooling, vomiting and chemical burns of the mouth, throat, eyes and lungs. The reactions are more severe than if ordinary liquid detergent is ingested, because the pods contain highly concentrated detergent.
It doesn't have to be that way! Modest changes to the packaging and formula can largely solve the problem. Add your signature to our petition and we'll circulate it to all the manufacturers.
Dear [Decision Maker],
Detergent pods, with their bright colors and sugary appearance, are sending small children to the hospital. This is easy to fix and I want you to do it.
Just three tweaks to the product could reduce injuries:
1. Make the pod packaging opaque so kids can't see what's inside.
2. Don't shape and color them so they look like candy.
3. Add a bittering agent so kids who do ingest a pod will immediately spit out the contents.
[Your comments here]
This product doesn't need to look like candy. Please change it now!
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
