Dishwasher pods are dangerous for children — how to prevent tragedy
An ex-paramedic is warning parents to keep dishwasher pods and powders away from children, as they can burn their insides.
Ross Smith, founder of Safer Little Steps, which aims to educate parents on keeping children safe around the home, took to TikTok recently to share his care tips.
“Dishwashing tablets and dishwashing powder is extremely dangerous to children,” Smith said. “They contain a caustic-type substance. When they bite on them and start chewing on them, they foam up.”
“That foam can cause burns, can burn their mouth, burn their airway, burn the tube that goes into their tummy, extremely dangerous items,” he continued.
Smith said it’s very important to keep pods out of the reach of children, especially because they can look like a piece of candy or another treat due to their color and small size.
Even if you store your dishwashing supplies in a cupboard or cabinet, Smith recommends they stay locked up.
If your child does get into the dishwashing pods or powders, there are steps you should take to prevent tragedy.
“If the child has ingested a lot of this, if there’s a lot of foaming in their mouth, put them on their side, try and get it out, call emergency services, and listen to the call taker’s advice. They’ll tell you exactly what to do and how to manage that emergency,” Smith explained.
The Post reached out to Safer Little Steps for comment.
According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), cleaning items are one of the six most common child poisons, along with vitamins, antihistamines, over-the-counter pain medications, foreign bodies, and prescription medications.
Poisoning is also the third leading cause of “unintentional injury death” among people 1 to 19 years old, per SafeKids.org.
Access to laundry pods became even more concerning when teens started daring each other to consume them as part of a social media trend in 2018.
Jane Miloradovich, a specialist in the poison control center at CHOP, recommends parents treat the cleaning substances in their house as “potentially dangerous poisons.”
Miloradovich advises not to use them when children are around.
The warning follows new research about the dangers of everyday household products, like air fresheners, bleach, and oven cleaners.
Some contain chemicals that have been linked to cancer, hormone imbalances, respiratory problems, and other health concerns.
Woman claims fertility doctor accidentally injected her with acid
Aspartame could cause memory and learning deficits in future generations: new study
Why eating french fries could ruin your life
About The Author
