Pods: A Prediction Comes True
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mielerod69
Well-known member
Too bad we cannot discontinue Poor Parenting instead.
I'll second that motion.
I'll second that motion.
I think a simple solution would be for the manufactures to change the packaging and make it non transparent.
I have not heard anything about dishwasher detergent tablets and laundry products of the past that did not have a clear packaging with pretty colors exposed that would attract kids.
I do think of all the hype tooth paste manufactures have come up with to attract kids to brush their teeth....and it does not work.
I have not heard anything about dishwasher detergent tablets and laundry products of the past that did not have a clear packaging with pretty colors exposed that would attract kids.
I do think of all the hype tooth paste manufactures have come up with to attract kids to brush their teeth....and it does not work.
whirlcool
Well-known member
I think that about 85% of the population really does think that laundry detergent is just soap. People don't educate themselves unless they are forced to, usually. They only read the box products come in 1 time, and that's only about 40% of the people. The other 60% never read the labeling at all.
My sister's MIL lived in upper Minnesota. When my sister and her husband would visit she would warn my sister about the "black mosquitoes" that bite. She would warn that before the kids go outside they need to be sprayed down with some mosquito repellent.
So granny would spray the kids down from head to toe before putting them outside.
Finally a few days later my sister watched granny spraying the kids down. What was she using? Off? Cutters? Avon? No, she was spraying them down with Raid Ant & Roach killer. My sister almost fainted before going ballistic. Granny's response "Oh, don't worry it's all the same stuff they put in different cans! It won't hurt them!" It seems that her in laws don't fall far from her own tree!
My sister's MIL lived in upper Minnesota. When my sister and her husband would visit she would warn my sister about the "black mosquitoes" that bite. She would warn that before the kids go outside they need to be sprayed down with some mosquito repellent.
So granny would spray the kids down from head to toe before putting them outside.
Finally a few days later my sister watched granny spraying the kids down. What was she using? Off? Cutters? Avon? No, she was spraying them down with Raid Ant & Roach killer. My sister almost fainted before going ballistic. Granny's response "Oh, don't worry it's all the same stuff they put in different cans! It won't hurt them!" It seems that her in laws don't fall far from her own tree!
golittlesport
Well-known member
Redesign
They should redesign the packets into a not so splashy, colorful design. Maybe make them a nice shade of broccoli green. I don't recall kids eating Salvo and Vim tablets years ago.
They should redesign the packets into a not so splashy, colorful design. Maybe make them a nice shade of broccoli green. I don't recall kids eating Salvo and Vim tablets years ago.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Frigilux:
"43,000 children are injured or killed each year in bathtub/shower accidents (just for some perspective)."
Well, I'm afraid I have a somewhat different perspective on that perspective.
The 43,000 injuries and deaths from bathtub/shower accidents make for a highly regrettable statistic. Damn regrettable, in fact.
But the 17,000 pod incidents are in addition to those other incidents - and they're from a source that did not exist until quite recently. This is not something I can interpret than fewer incidents than those from other sources, it's more incidents added to those already existing.
I'm glad to see we're in agreement that something needs to be done. The skills of today's parents are obviously not up to the task of policing the issue.
"43,000 children are injured or killed each year in bathtub/shower accidents (just for some perspective)."
Well, I'm afraid I have a somewhat different perspective on that perspective.
The 43,000 injuries and deaths from bathtub/shower accidents make for a highly regrettable statistic. Damn regrettable, in fact.
But the 17,000 pod incidents are in addition to those other incidents - and they're from a source that did not exist until quite recently. This is not something I can interpret than fewer incidents than those from other sources, it's more incidents added to those already existing.
I'm glad to see we're in agreement that something needs to be done. The skills of today's parents are obviously not up to the task of policing the issue.
neptunebob
Well-known member
One possible reason now...
Detergents in the past had phosphates, as salvo and vim did, and to make the detergents effective without them, the manufacturers had to use more caustic (higher pH)ingredients. I know this was a problem when the first nonphosphate detergents came out, that something that would not harm you before would now chemically burn you. The pods probably have a very high pH, maybe not much lower than lye. As I can remember, a phosphate detergent (for example, "New! 1965 TIDE!") would Feel warm, but not harm you. Traditional Tide today would probably burn you. Pods may end up being banned but its mostly because many parents today don't watch their kids at all.
Detergents in the past had phosphates, as salvo and vim did, and to make the detergents effective without them, the manufacturers had to use more caustic (higher pH)ingredients. I know this was a problem when the first nonphosphate detergents came out, that something that would not harm you before would now chemically burn you. The pods probably have a very high pH, maybe not much lower than lye. As I can remember, a phosphate detergent (for example, "New! 1965 TIDE!") would Feel warm, but not harm you. Traditional Tide today would probably burn you. Pods may end up being banned but its mostly because many parents today don't watch their kids at all.
philr
Well-known member
They certainly look like candies and even their packages look like some candy packages.
A lot of people don't have locked or separate laundry rooms (most people I know have their laundry machines/products either in their kitchen or in their bathroom...).
And because kids might see their parents using these attractive pods, manipulate their package, notice where they store them or even when they buy them with other food at the grocery store. I think it's normal for some of them to assume these nice-looking candy-like pods probably bought at the supermarket could be eaten!
I also guess that some of the poisoned kids were able to reach the packages in supposed inaccessible locations just because they were so attracted by the package!
Of course, we can blame parents for a lot of things, including buying detergent pods that are packaged and even looking as attractive candy without thinking their children might get fooled... But making these candy-like pods without thinking about the potential issues with them isn't the best idea to begin with...
When my mother and aunt were kids back in the late 1950s, one of their neighbors distributed what looked like mint candies to other kids of the neighborhood. My mother didn't want to eat one but a lot of kids ate them and my aunt didn't even notice the first one didn't taste that great so she ate two of these candies which were in fact cockroach poison tablets... Nobody died but the doctor got quite busy with these kids!
I guess they looked like these boric acid tablets!
I even salivate when I see these packages, there must be something wrong with them!
A lot of people don't have locked or separate laundry rooms (most people I know have their laundry machines/products either in their kitchen or in their bathroom...).
And because kids might see their parents using these attractive pods, manipulate their package, notice where they store them or even when they buy them with other food at the grocery store. I think it's normal for some of them to assume these nice-looking candy-like pods probably bought at the supermarket could be eaten!
I also guess that some of the poisoned kids were able to reach the packages in supposed inaccessible locations just because they were so attracted by the package!
Of course, we can blame parents for a lot of things, including buying detergent pods that are packaged and even looking as attractive candy without thinking their children might get fooled... But making these candy-like pods without thinking about the potential issues with them isn't the best idea to begin with...
When my mother and aunt were kids back in the late 1950s, one of their neighbors distributed what looked like mint candies to other kids of the neighborhood. My mother didn't want to eat one but a lot of kids ate them and my aunt didn't even notice the first one didn't taste that great so she ate two of these candies which were in fact cockroach poison tablets... Nobody died but the doctor got quite busy with these kids!
I guess they looked like these boric acid tablets!
I even salivate when I see these packages, there must be something wrong with them!
A few points:
-- I made that "natural selection" comment last year totally toungue-in-cheek.
-- I concede that they really DO look like candy; Tide even packages them in a clear container in the shape of a classic candy container, no less.
-- Is this an attempt by Tide for in-home ongoing marketing? Keep the packaging and the product so attractive the consumer will want to keep it on display in their laundry rooms? Unlike ripped and sagging boxes, they really ARE nice enough to leave out on the counter.
-- Kids helping themselves to laundry pods thinking they're candy. Are kids today also helping themselves to CANDY around the house as well? Who lets their kids do this??
-- At the very least, haven't these parents heard of keeping crap like this on a high shelf??
-- I made that "natural selection" comment last year totally toungue-in-cheek.
-- I concede that they really DO look like candy; Tide even packages them in a clear container in the shape of a classic candy container, no less.
-- Is this an attempt by Tide for in-home ongoing marketing? Keep the packaging and the product so attractive the consumer will want to keep it on display in their laundry rooms? Unlike ripped and sagging boxes, they really ARE nice enough to leave out on the counter.
-- Kids helping themselves to laundry pods thinking they're candy. Are kids today also helping themselves to CANDY around the house as well? Who lets their kids do this??
-- At the very least, haven't these parents heard of keeping crap like this on a high shelf??
arbilab
Well-known member
One of my least-favorite observations in public these days are parents who would have recused themselves from the genepool had they only known how to work a mirror.
Not that I'm any paragon. I'm fat AND skinny at the same time with a scalp of weeds and Austin Powers teeth. Twasn't always so, but now I have to shower in the dark or the water won't come out of the faucet. But at least I'm not dumb as cowflop.
I certainly don't wish toddlers to die for their parents' stupidity. Or Proctology and Grumble's. But if they do, who's to say it isn't gawd's will?
Not that I'm any paragon. I'm fat AND skinny at the same time with a scalp of weeds and Austin Powers teeth. Twasn't always so, but now I have to shower in the dark or the water won't come out of the faucet. But at least I'm not dumb as cowflop.
I certainly don't wish toddlers to die for their parents' stupidity. Or Proctology and Grumble's. But if they do, who's to say it isn't gawd's will?
taking this off the market will only put an end to this problem, only for people to find another to show their own stupidity...
and why should the whole world have to suffer because of no brainers of others...
a mother lets her 9YO child play with a washer, where the lid switch broke, allowing her to add clothes during a spin cycle, and ripped her arm off.....then on top of it, the manufacturer gets sued, and the mother wins......end result, we get LOCKS on the lids of machines now, or switches that don't allow the machine to operate with the lid open.....so we have to suffer because of their stupidity....
how can the world progress forward, if were constantly being held back!....
I was 3 when I started doing my mothers wash.....and I must have been a brainiac, never thought to eat detergent, or put my hand inside the machine while it was in use...and didn't have to be told!
common sense and intelligence are black and white......its the ones in the gray area that ruin it for everyone else...
and why should the whole world have to suffer because of no brainers of others...
a mother lets her 9YO child play with a washer, where the lid switch broke, allowing her to add clothes during a spin cycle, and ripped her arm off.....then on top of it, the manufacturer gets sued, and the mother wins......end result, we get LOCKS on the lids of machines now, or switches that don't allow the machine to operate with the lid open.....so we have to suffer because of their stupidity....
how can the world progress forward, if were constantly being held back!....
I was 3 when I started doing my mothers wash.....and I must have been a brainiac, never thought to eat detergent, or put my hand inside the machine while it was in use...and didn't have to be told!
common sense and intelligence are black and white......its the ones in the gray area that ruin it for everyone else...
But the 17,000 pod incidents are in addition to those other incidents - and they're from a source that did not exist until quite recently.
Point well-taken, Sandy. I certainly didn't mean to infer that because more kids are injured/killed in bathtub accidents we shouldn't be concerned about the pod ingestion problem.
Anyone who spends time with tykes knows their first instinct is to put things in their mouths, especially items designed to look enticing (pods from Tide and Gain, for example). I don't fault the kids, who are often too young to know better. And while I do believe parents need to be diligent in keeping little ones away from harmful products, I also understand it's impossible to monitor their every move 24/7.
I like the pod format and use it almost exclusively in the washer and dishwasher, but were toddlers part of the household, I'd definitely switch back to a tightly-capped jug of Tide With Bleach HE kept on a high shelf. Kids have landed in the ER due to detergent ingestion for decades; the deadly difference is the super-toxic concentration of chemicals in a pod.
Point well-taken, Sandy. I certainly didn't mean to infer that because more kids are injured/killed in bathtub accidents we shouldn't be concerned about the pod ingestion problem.
Anyone who spends time with tykes knows their first instinct is to put things in their mouths, especially items designed to look enticing (pods from Tide and Gain, for example). I don't fault the kids, who are often too young to know better. And while I do believe parents need to be diligent in keeping little ones away from harmful products, I also understand it's impossible to monitor their every move 24/7.
I like the pod format and use it almost exclusively in the washer and dishwasher, but were toddlers part of the household, I'd definitely switch back to a tightly-capped jug of Tide With Bleach HE kept on a high shelf. Kids have landed in the ER due to detergent ingestion for decades; the deadly difference is the super-toxic concentration of chemicals in a pod.
washerboy
Well-known member
solution
Until the makers of pods give them a make over...how about basic parental responsibility. Either stop buying if there are small children in the home or store them out of reach of little ones. Of course I sound like my grand mother, but "back in my day" when my children were little all chemicals were either kept on a very high shelf or kept below the kitchen sink with a child lock on the outside. I was so OCD about my childen and keeping the house safe that to this very day I still turn the handles of pots and pans to the inside of the stove and contine to keep bleach and laundry detergent on a high shelf; I haven't had little one under foot for at least 18 years! Of course childen ingesting household cleaning products is nothing new. just the thought of what kind of damage a ingested pod would do to the inside of a little ones mouth not to mention the lining of the gut..geez
Until the makers of pods give them a make over...how about basic parental responsibility. Either stop buying if there are small children in the home or store them out of reach of little ones. Of course I sound like my grand mother, but "back in my day" when my children were little all chemicals were either kept on a very high shelf or kept below the kitchen sink with a child lock on the outside. I was so OCD about my childen and keeping the house safe that to this very day I still turn the handles of pots and pans to the inside of the stove and contine to keep bleach and laundry detergent on a high shelf; I haven't had little one under foot for at least 18 years! Of course childen ingesting household cleaning products is nothing new. just the thought of what kind of damage a ingested pod would do to the inside of a little ones mouth not to mention the lining of the gut..geez
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Mark:
You do those things. I do those things. But the reality of the world in which we live is, most people don't do those things. And that is why one kid an hour is getting in trouble with pods.
You do those things. I do those things. But the reality of the world in which we live is, most people don't do those things. And that is why one kid an hour is getting in trouble with pods.
17,000 Injured Children a Year Is One Too Many
When you consider that fewer children than ever are being injured growing up today I would suggest that parents are doing a better job today raising their kids than when most of us grew up and no one needs anything else to distract them from the important job of raising their kids.
Everyone should consider how much children eating detergent has cost each and everyone of us in medical health care costs for all these injured children that had to either go to the emergency room or the doctor.
Something needs to be done and something will be done, common sense usually prevails.
When you consider that fewer children than ever are being injured growing up today I would suggest that parents are doing a better job today raising their kids than when most of us grew up and no one needs anything else to distract them from the important job of raising their kids.
Everyone should consider how much children eating detergent has cost each and everyone of us in medical health care costs for all these injured children that had to either go to the emergency room or the doctor.
Something needs to be done and something will be done, common sense usually prevails.
vintagekitchen
Well-known member
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fewer injured children..
Personally i think that the fact fewer children are injured growing up now than in years past has less to do with watchful parents, and more to do with reduced dangers in the home.
No coal or wood range in the kitchen, electric lighting instead of kerosene or gas, electric appliances now thoroughly tested to reduce nasty shocks to the user, safer household wiring, no boiling pot or copper on laundry day, no wringers to mash fingers, safety rails everywhere, safety razors instead of dads old throat slitter, etc etc.. I could go on and on.
Modern parents actually seem to be less watchful of their children, there being so many fewer dangers to watch out for.
As for the laundry pods, how hard is it to put the blasted things on a high shelf or in a cabinet with a childproof lock? Where do these people keep their drain cleaner, next to the Pepsi?
Personally i think that the fact fewer children are injured growing up now than in years past has less to do with watchful parents, and more to do with reduced dangers in the home.
No coal or wood range in the kitchen, electric lighting instead of kerosene or gas, electric appliances now thoroughly tested to reduce nasty shocks to the user, safer household wiring, no boiling pot or copper on laundry day, no wringers to mash fingers, safety rails everywhere, safety razors instead of dads old throat slitter, etc etc.. I could go on and on.
Modern parents actually seem to be less watchful of their children, there being so many fewer dangers to watch out for.
As for the laundry pods, how hard is it to put the blasted things on a high shelf or in a cabinet with a childproof lock? Where do these people keep their drain cleaner, next to the Pepsi?
I'm surprised there aren't more reports of kids eating dishwasher detergent pods. Cascade Pacs and Tide Pods look very similar. Most people keep dishwasher detergent under the sink, making access fairly easy.
Photo 1: Cascade Pac
Photo 2: Tide Pod
Photo 1: Cascade Pac
Photo 2: Tide Pod
Eugene, the thought occurred to me too, but mostly I think that whoever is keeping the records is just not writing down *which* pods the kids are taking, for all we know, both dishwasher and laundry pods are causing trouble and piled up in the same bin when it comes to sick children.
whirlcool
Well-known member
taking this off the market will only put an end to this problem, only for people to find another to show their own stupidity...
and why should the whole world have to suffer because of no brainers of others...
Because that's the way things currently work. When I was growing up, if you did something stupid without thinking you could end up getting you ass kicked but good.
These days people go around being stupid and nobody does anything to them at all. They completely get away with it with no repercussions! In fact, sometimes I think that people enjoy being able to have such freedom to do stupid things.
I say to people who do stupid things because they are either lazy or "too busy" to read the instructions get what they deserve in the end. We can't have corporations acting as baby sitters for the entire populace.
and why should the whole world have to suffer because of no brainers of others...
Because that's the way things currently work. When I was growing up, if you did something stupid without thinking you could end up getting you ass kicked but good.
These days people go around being stupid and nobody does anything to them at all. They completely get away with it with no repercussions! In fact, sometimes I think that people enjoy being able to have such freedom to do stupid things.
I say to people who do stupid things because they are either lazy or "too busy" to read the instructions get what they deserve in the end. We can't have corporations acting as baby sitters for the entire populace.
Parents arn't paying attentutation to they kids today?
I don't think so, parents are in almost constant contact with there kids today, half the kids that tasted these pods probably had their own Cell Phones, LOL.
But it is true that homes are much safer than the were 50 or 100 years ago for children and adults alike and they shouldn't they be.
I don't think so, parents are in almost constant contact with there kids today, half the kids that tasted these pods probably had their own Cell Phones, LOL.
But it is true that homes are much safer than the were 50 or 100 years ago for children and adults alike and they shouldn't they be.
