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Charleston, WV and Columbus, OH

Child Health Risk: Soap Pod Poisoning, Product Liability

Children don't often think about the possible dangers that may lie ahead of them, they see something shiny and they eat it, or stick it up their nose. There is no true explanation for why kids do this apart from the fact that they do, and it is the responsibility of the parents to help protect their children for harm's way. Even despite the efforts and oversight of parents, a child may still place themselves in danger without even realizing it, and that is what is happening with a newer style laundry detergent.

More recent "technology" has allowed manufacturing companies to create a detergent that no longer requires measuring of any kind, but rather a little pod that can be thrown directly into the laundry and voilà, clean clothes! Unfortunately with this user friendly product, comes the household dangers as well. According to the CDC as well as the American Association of Poison Control Centers, these little pods are appearing to kids to be something like candy rather than tools for cleaning.

The number of child laundry detergent poisonings is quite large, just between the months of May and June this year there were 1008 cases, almost half of them being from the pods. According to studies, the children are assuming that these fun looking products are candy for them to eat, and because of that poisoning is occurring.

Reports show that the majority of the cases of exposure to the poison were between the ages of 10-20 months old, and because the product is water-soluble, it dissolves the moment it touches liquid. The children would then bit into the detergent, and soon after they would show serious signs of poisoning including: vomiting, drowsiness, seizures, respiratory distress, and lack of response. As a result of these many cases, the CDC and AAPCC developed a new code for poisoning in relation to the detergent products, one that is traceable in the National Poison Data System to give the public as much information as possible regarding the events.

Other common side effects of the poisoning in children under 5 years of age would be itchy eyes, coughing, chocking, vomiting, and lethargy are among the most frequent in the reported cases. Parents as well as the healthcare providers need to be aware of the possibility of laundry detergent poisoning among their children, because while it may be impossible to keep some things out to the reach of the kids, knowing the side effects just may save a child's life.

Parents, keep the household cleaning products out of the reach of the children as best you can, many times they won't know the different between candy and poison, and by making them hard to reach could save a life. Poison is not something to mess around with as a child or an adult, and safety is the biggest concern. While some illnesses and poison exposures may be simply an accident on behalf of the child, there are other times when products that children use pose a threat despite what they advertise. Child safety seats are known to be dangerous, different toys, etc. are among the possible threats to the safety of the kids, and because of that lives are being placed at risk.

If your child has been a victim to product liability or has incurred and injury because it isn't meeting up to par with what was advertised, contact a personal injury attorney today to discuss fighting your case, and seek financial compensation for your troubles. Call the law office of Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC today for a trusted attorney who can help you through the process.

Charleston, WV

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
10 Hale St Suite 501
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 720-1000

Columbus, OH

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
20 E Broad St Suite 1000
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 587-8423