Tide single use packets being mistaken for candy?

Sounds like Tide is being blamed for an irresponsible paren. Kids at that age put everything in their mouth. Accidental poisoning is a major issue for that age range - it's not Tide's fault.

The container the Tide Pods come in looks a lot like a cookie jar. Add to it that the packaging is designed to dissolve in water (saliva is mostly water) and you have a perfect products liability scenario. Leave it to bad parents to ruin good ideas for everyone else.

I have to admit I saw some of these same soap packets at Costco just yesterday, and that out of the corner of my eye they looked, well, kind of tasty. They are also marketed and sold in fishbowl-like containers that somewhat resemble candy bins:

I can see how a small child might mistake these for candy: bright shiny colors and eye-catching packaging that is not unlike that used in candy:

That being said: parents still have a responsibility to child-proof their homes. I doubt that Tide and its parent company will face any sort of sanction here, as kids have been getting into cleaning products for many, many years. My own niece toddled off and ate some Comet once when she was two, despite the diligent efforts of her mom and dad to keep chemicals locked up. 30 seconds with a back turned is all it takes for Junior to feast on harmful cleaning supplies.

My kid started talking around 15 months, soon after I thought, "this kid needs some soap in his mouth. Where did he learn these words?? Certainly not from his dad!"

After seeing the photos historymike posted, I can see why a small child might mistake the packets for candy.

But I agree that it comes down to doing your best to keep the products out of your child's reach and doing your best to keep a close eye on your child.

And exactly what do Tide Pods do that normal, non-gimmicky detergent doesn't? Or the "make your own laundry detergent" recipe using bar soap, borax, and washing soda?

I buy the big jugs of cheap crap and if that don't work alone then I throw in some other stuff into the mix. Then again, I wasn't asleep in chemistry and physics classes when they talked about stuff like surface tension and ions. I sneer in the direction of marketing and name brand gimmicks.

I eat these all the time. Not bad. The aftertaste is a bit rough but it's an acquired taste.

Are people complete idiots or are they purposely feeding their children poison just to hope for a big lawsuit payoff?

Considering the other major story this week was a video showing two morons putting a toddler in a washing machine and then turning it on, I'll vote for the "complete idiots" option.

I eat these all the time. Not bad. The aftertaste is a bit rough but it's an acquired taste.

At least your farts stay encapsulated in the bubbles...

LOL !!

I love this place!!

They must be used by those people who have washing machines with lids at floor level because I'm not sure how the heck a 15 month old, or any other child can get up to where a dangerous product is supposed to be stored.

I guess Tide should start making the little packets look like dog turds so kids mistake them for candy. Then again....

Thanks for the photos, historymike. I think you've just explained why I feel upset when I see bakery items intended for children (birthday cakes, frosted cookies, cupcakes) decorated with strange, nonfood colors like kelp green and turquoise and hot pink. We have no innate ability to recognize food, and when we serve celebratory treats to children, it all looks like it could be plastic, or chemicals, or paint. / end of rant

What can you do? Kids getting into things, no matter how well you put them away, is just a subset of "if you make something idiot-proof, someone will build a better idiot" law. Unfortunately until a certain point the kid doesn't qualify as an idiot.

As I've posted a zillion times on here. It's called parenting. I know, I know, you just can't watch junior as he puts his tongue into an electrical outlet or uses the hair dryer in the tub, or climbs into the washing machine, or puts your parked car in drive. Horseraddish.
People need to step up, act like parents or seriously consider not having any kids.
Parents complaining that they can't control their kids is ridiculous. It's passing the buck of responsibility and that is spreading through society like wild fire.
I guess we need a serious war or depression to get people to appreciate what's important.
For instance, I was at costco recently and watched a woman and a small child argue over whether or not he could jump out of the buggy seat onto the floor. Are you freaking kidding me? She had absolutely no authority or control over that little monster. Luckily, he landed without injury, but if not, you can believe she would have sued over not having enough warnings on the cart or because the carts were dangerous for her little monster.
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,,,,,serenity now, serenity now