Liquid detergent packets: Small, brightly coloured, convenient and hazardous!

The Smiths are busy raising two preschool children and managing multiple responsibilities at home and at work. They juggle household chores and child care on evenings and weekends. Like most Canadians, they strive to provide a safe home environment for their children. Laundry products are stored on a high shelf with other household chemicals. One evening, while preparing to do the laundry, Mr Smith becomes distracted and leaves the laundry basket on the floor with a liquid detergent packet on top. The laundry is forgotten and the following day one of the toddlers picks up the colourful detergent packet. It fits easily into her palm, and moisture on her hand starts to dissolve the packet’s membrane. She tries to chew it and she bursts the membrane, releasing concentrated liquid detergent into her mouth. She starts to cry, pulls the packet from her mouth and rubs her face and eyes, further spreading the liquid detergent.