More children poisioned by detergent packets

The Idaho Poison Center reports a 30 percent increase in calls pertaining to detergent poisonings in children, compared to last year.

“It’s been Halloween and I think kids have been used to seeing colored little packets laying around,” said Emergency Physician Jeff Stieglitz, M.D.

Stieglitz said he has seen an increase in detergent packet poisonings. “It’s not something I think the manufacturers are widely aware of, but should become so,” he said.

Steiglitz said inconsistent detergent formulas have become a recent problem because of their new pod form.

“Detergents are not our most dangerous chemicals, but with this kind of a dose, with a full ingestion, it’s going to make them quite sick,” Steiglitz said.

The Idaho Poison Control Center said 69 children have been exposed to the a pod, 40 of them had to be rushed to the emergency room.

Steiglitz said parents need to be aware of the problem and avoid buying these products if you have small children. “If you do have them, keep them out of the reach of children,” he said.

Most of the pods have caution labels on the front and back for you to follow.

In the summer of 2013, Tide and other detergent companies switched to opaque packaging and added a double safety latch lid.

If you think a child has been exposed to any laundry detergent, immediately call the Idaho Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.