Back 07.09.12

Liquitab warning after children injured

Doctors in the UK are warning parents about the dangers of liquitabs around small children.  Liquitabs are often used in washing machines or dishwashers and contain chemicals that can be harmful.

The Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow have reported that they have treated 5 children this year for injuries sustained by children who have either squeezed or bitten in to liquitabs.  When force is applied to the liquitabs, such as by biting, then chemicals can be squeezed out and these can cause burns to the child. If bitten into they can cause chemical burns to the throat or can be harmful to a child's eyes.

Dr Lyndsay Fraser, from the hospital's ear nose and throat unit, said: "We have known for some time about the risk of eye injuries from kids squeezing these liquitabs until they burst. What we have seen more recently is that children are biting into the tablets, presumably because they think they are sweets as they have the same soft texture and bright colouring.  Dr Fraser went on to say "It is  important parents realise that these liquid capsules are dangerous chemicals and they should be kept locked away so children can't reach them”.

There is now increasing pressure upon the manufacturers of liquitabs to ensure that the packaging that contains them is child proof in order to ensure  that any further accidents can be prevented.