Laundry pods continue to be a leading source of household cleaning product-related injuries among children, despite safety measures that were implemented more than a decade ago, according to a recent study.
Looking at 2007-2022 data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, researchers from Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that laundry pods (also called detergent packets) were involved in 33% of household cleaning product-related injuries involving kids. That’s despite a decrease in incidents since 2015.
“The post-2015 decline may be due to the implementation of safety measures, including child-resistant and opaque containers and delayed-dissolving, bitter-tasting packet films,” said lead study author Rebecca McAdams, chief research associate for the hospital’s Center for Injury Research and Policy. “Although the rate of injuries associated with packets decreased, they remained the leading cause of overall detergent injury rates in 2022.”
Other findings:
- Household cleaning products played a role in nearly 241,000 ER visits for kids.
- Toddlers (1- and 2-year-olds) were at greatest risk of household cleaning product-related injuries.
- Ingestion of the cleaning products was the No. 1 cause of incidents.
To help prevent these types of injuries, the researchers say to:
Store products safely. Keep detergents up, away and out of sight of young kids, preferably in a locked cabinet. Keep containers closed and put away all cleaning supplies and any chemicals immediately after use.
Keep all household cleaning products and detergents in their original containers. When buying products, look for child-resistant containers for an extra layer of protection.
Finally, know how to reach poison control: Keep the national hotline – (800) 222-1222 – in your cellphone and post the number in a prominent spot in your home. Call immediately if you suspect your child has been exposed to any dangerous products. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear.
The study was published in the journal Pediatrics.
