Lara McKenzie, PhD Principal investigator, Center for Injury Research and Policy Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus, OH

06 Apr Nationwide Children’s Hospital Study Emphasizes Detergent Packets and Bleach Remain Hazards to Children

Posted at 14:46h in Environmental Risks, Pediatrics by

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Lara McKenzie, PhDPrincipal investigator, Center for Injury Research and Policy Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus, OH

Dr. McKenzie

Lara McKenzie, PhD
Principal investigator, Center for Injury Research and Policy
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Columbus, OH

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Kids are curious and explore their environments by tasting, touching, and mimicking adults. Kids don’t read labels, nor do they understand hazardous or dangerous ingredients. Packaging is usually colorful and attractive to kids and they are able to operate dispensing systems that are not child-resistant easily. Plus, household cleaning products are ubiquitous in the home. Prior safety efforts rely on adults to lock or store products safely each and every use and we know that is not routinely or consistently done. The consistently high number of household cleaning product-related injuries sustained by the youngest children and new products that have entered the marketplace in the past decade highlights the need for stronger product packaging standards, with emphasis on ensuring that spray bottles and other commonly accessible containers meet child-resistant packaging requirements.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the most common products associated with childhood poisonings?

Response: Among household cleaning products we looked at in this study:

  • Packets were a main source of injury to children. The rate of injuries associated with detergent packets increased rapidly after their introduction in 2012, peaked in 2015, and then declined through 2022.
  • Bleach and detergents were the most common product types involved in household cleaning product related injuries.
    • The rate of bleach-related injuries remained stable over time
    • Bleach was most often stored in spray bottles 

MedicalResearch.com: What can caretakers do to reduce this risk to children.

Response: Parents and caregivers can help children stay safer by following these tips:

  • Store safely. Store household cleaning products and detergents up, away, and out of sight of young children, preferably in a locked cabinet. Close containers and put all cleaning supplies and any chemicals away immediately after every use.
  • Stay original. Keep all household cleaning products and detergents in their original containers. When buying products, look for child-resistant containers for an extra layer of protection.
  • Save the national Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) in your cellphone and post it near your home phones. Call immediately if you think your child has come into contact with a household cleaning product or other dangerous product. You do not need to wait for symptoms to develop to call.

Specific to detergent packets: Experts recommend that caregivers to children younger than 6 years old and adults with a history of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or developmental disability use traditional laundry detergents (liquid or powder) instead of packets. 

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Any disclosures?

Response:  These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive prevention strategies that include safer packaging, public education, and environmental modifications to reduce children’s access to dangerous household substances.

I have no financial relationships or potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose.

Citation: Rebecca J. McAdams, Marie Shonia, Kristin J. Roberts, Lara B. McKenzie; Cleaning Product–Related Injuries Treated in US Emergency Departments: 2007-2022. Pediatrics 2026; e2025074551. 10.1542/peds.2025-074551

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Last Updated on April 6, 2026 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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