The Mail has reported that hundreds of children are being accidentally poisoned by detergent capsules according to experts.
Many needed emergency hospital treatment for serious burns to the skin, eyes and throat when they bit or pierced the brightly coloured liquid capsules.
Almost any concentrated cleaners and detergents under the sink pose a risk to children that many parents are unaware of, say the Child Accident Prevention Trust.
It says gel capsules containing concentrated liquid with high levels of chemicals are very hazardous to children, but they are not often sold in child-resistant or child-proof boxes.
They said there was an 11 per cent rise last year in calls for advice from health professionals about children being accidentally poisoned.
About 100 children under 14 are admitted to hospital each year because of poisoning by soaps and deodorants. But , last year, almost 200 inquiries were made about incidents involving Bold 2 in 1 and Ariel Liquitabs.
European safety information from manufacturer Procter & Gamble, which makes both products, says exposure to liquitabs may cause eye irritation, while prolonged exposure can irritate skin and ingesting the product may trigger vomiting.
Child Accident Prevention Trust chief executive Katrina Phillips said concentrated products were popular because they cut costs for manufacturers, retailers and customers. But the sight, smell and the tactile nature of the laundry detergent capsules made them attractive to children.
She stated that: ‘We’re worried because inquisitive toddlers can get into the boxes relatively easily and do find the capsules attractive. If toddlers then bite into the capsules, the concentrated chemicals can be harmful.’