Tide Introduces New Child-Resistant Packaging to Make Laundry Pods Safer
It's well-known that, if not safely stored, single-dose detergent packs can be seriously dangerous. They look so much like toys or candy that kids often find them hard to resist grabbing one and playing with it. But if a young kid gets his hands on a packet and pops it open, it can cause chemical burns, skin irritation, blindness or worse. And it's not just kids who are at risk. There have been multiple reports over the years of people with cognitive impairment, such as adults suffering from dementia, dying after ingesting the pods.
In response, brands have been coming up with new ways to ensure minimal exposure. Procter & Gamble, for instance, just announced new child-safe packaging for its Tide Pods and Gain Flings tub-size containers. "Knowing that access is a key factor in accidental exposures, we've made the new Child-Guard tub easy to close, but harder to open so parents and caregivers can both conveniently and safely store the product, further driving down accidents," said Sundar Raman, North America Vice President of Fabric Care for P&G.
The new closures, which will be available this year, work a lot like the safety-proof cap on prescription bottles with a lid that is wide and difficult for small hands to grip and turn. To open, you have to squeeze the side tabs on the lid and twist. To close, simply screw the lid back on and the locking tabs snap into place.
The news of the redesign is definitely a step in the right direction, but we at the Good Housekeeping Institute still want to warn parents that it's necessary to keep all laundry detergents out of reach of children. You should also never allow children to touch, play with or toss them into the washer, and alway keep them in the container with the lid closed even while in use.
Carolyn Forte is the director of the Home Appliances, Cleaning Products and Textiles Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute.
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