Kids Are Eating Tide Pods? The Power of Influence

What the heck is going on in our society today?  Where would the idea of eating Tide Pods all of a sudden be considered a cool thing to do?  And why are kids turning into Lemmings and following those who are promoting this challenge?  We, as parents, need to speak up and force change.  Kids who are eating Tide Pods are potentially placing themselves in grave danger.

What Are Tide Pods?

Tide Pods are a brand of laundry detergent detergent produced by Procter & Gamble (P&G). They are a type of laundry detergent in a single-use, pre-measured pod or capsule form. Each pod contains a concentrated liquid detergent, stain remover, and a brightening agent, all encased in a dissolvable film.

Tide Pods were introduced to the market as a convenient and easy-to-use alternative to traditional liquid or powder detergents. They are designed to simplify the laundry process by eliminating the need for measuring detergent and pre-treating stains separately. Users can simply toss one or more Tide Pods, depending on the size and dirtiness of the load, directly into the washing machine drum along with their clothes. The pod dissolves in water during the wash cycle, releasing the detergent and other cleaning agents to clean the clothes.

Tide Pods have gained popularity for their convenience and effectiveness in cleaning laundry. However, it’s essential to use them as directed on the packaging and keep them out of the reach of children, as they can be mistaken for candy or toys due to their colorful and compact appearance. Improper use or ingestion of Tide Pods can be hazardous.

What Are Tide Pods Made Of?

It should go without saying that eating Tide Pods is not a good idea for obvious reasons.

Tide Pods are made up of several key components, each designed to perform specific functions in the laundry detergent. These components are encased within a dissolvable film to create a convenient, single-use pod. The exact formulation of Tide Pods may vary slightly depending on the specific product and version, but the main components typically include:

1. Detergent: Tide Pods contain a concentrated liquid detergent. This detergent is formulated to effectively remove dirt, stains, and odors from your clothing during the wash cycle.
2. Stain Remover: Many Tide Pods also include stain-fighting agents designed to target and remove specific types of stains, such as grease, grass, or wine stains.
3. Brightening Agents: To help keep your clothes looking vibrant and bright, Tide Pods often contain brightening or color-protecting agents. These help prevent colors from fading and whites from yellowing.
4. Enzymes: Enzymes are proteins that can help break down and remove protein-based stains like blood or grass. Some Tide Pods include enzymes for enhanced stain removal.
5. Surfactants: Surfactants are chemicals that help lift dirt and stains from the fabric and disperse them in the wash water, making them easier to rinse away.
6. Fragrance: To give your laundry a pleasant scent, Tide Pods usually include fragrances or perfumes. The specific scent may vary between different Tide Pod products.
7. Dissolvable Film: The detergent, stain remover, and other ingredients are encapsulated within a dissolvable film. This film is designed to dissolve in water during the wash cycle, releasing the detergent and cleaning agents into the wash water.

Are Tide Pods Toxic and Harmful to Humans?

Tide Pods and similar laundry detergent pods are generally safe for adults to use as directed for washing clothes. However, eating Tide Pods can be harmful if ingested, inhaled, or if they come into contact with the eyes or skin in an unintended manner.

Here are some important safety considerations:

1. Ingestion: Tide Pods and other laundry detergent pods are not intended for consumption and can be toxic if ingested. Swallowing the contents or even biting into a pod can lead to serious health issues, including gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, respiratory distress. Children, in particular, are at risk of accidental ingestion due to the colorful and compact appearance of the pods. Always keep these products out of reach of children and store them in their original packaging.
2. Inhalation: Inhaling the powder or vapors from detergent pods can irritate the respiratory system. Ensure proper ventilation when handling the pods, and avoid breathing in the contents.
3. Skin and Eye Contact: Contact with the skin or eyes can lead to irritation, redness, and discomfort. If a Tide Pod bursts or leaks during use, rinse affected skin or eyes thoroughly with water and seek medical attention if irritation persists.
4. Proper Use: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging for proper use of Tide Pods. Do not puncture or break the pods before use. Place them directly in the washing machine drum before adding clothes, and ensure they dissolve properly during the wash cycle.
5. Storage: Store Tide Pods and similar products in their original, child-resistant packaging. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
6. Keep Out of Reach: Always keep laundry detergent pods out of the reach of children and pets. Child-resistant packaging is designed to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion, but it’s still important to store these products safely.

In recent years, there have been reports of accidental ingestion of laundry detergent pods, particularly by children and individuals with cognitive impairments. To prevent such incidents, manufacturers have taken steps to improve safety by making the pods less appealing in appearance and using child-resistant packaging.

If someone ingests a laundry detergent pod or experiences adverse effects from contact with the product, seek immediate medical attention or contact a poison control center. It’s crucial to treat such incidents seriously to ensure the safety and well-being of those involved.

Tide Pod Challenge: Kids Are Eating Tide Pods

The “Tide Pod Challenge” is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening trend that emerged on social media platforms several years ago, primarily among teenagers and young adults. This so-called challenge involved individuals, often teenagers, eating Tide Pods or other laundry detergent pods, and then recording and sharing videos of themselves doing so on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and others.

Related Article: 6 Clever Ways You Can Help Get Your Kids More Active

The Tide Pod Challenge gained significant media attention and alarmed health professionals and authorities due to its serious health risks. Laundry detergent pods like Tide Pods are not meant to be consumed, and they contain a concentrated mixture of chemicals that can be toxic when ingested. Ingesting a laundry detergent pod can lead to a range of health problems, including:

1. Gastrointestinal Issues: Ingesting a detergent pod can cause severe irritation and burns in the mouth, throat, and digestive tract. This can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
2. Respiratory Problems: Inhaling or choking on the contents of a broken pod can lead to respiratory distress, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
3. Chemical Burns: The chemicals in laundry detergent pods can cause chemical burns to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
4. Poisoning: Ingesting the chemicals in detergent pods can lead to poisoning, with potentially serious or even fatal consequences.

The Tide Pod Challenge is widely criticized by health professionals, parents, and authorities for its recklessness and the serious health risks it posed. Several public service announcements and warnings were issued to discourage people from participating in this dangerous trend of eating Tide Pods.

Manufacturers of laundry detergent pods, including Procter & Gamble (the maker of Tide Pods), took steps to improve safety by making the pods less appealing in appearance and using child-resistant packaging to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion by young children.

It is crucial to emphasize that the Tide Pod Challenge is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted. Eating Tide Pods is not a joke or a harmless prank; it can have severe health consequences. Parents and caregivers should educate their children about the dangers of such challenges and monitor their online activities to ensure their safety.

Parents: Talk to Your Children About the Dangers

I shouldn’t even need to say this, but parents need to step in and have a talk with their kids about the dangers of eating Tide Pods which are full of nasty chemicals.  The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) actually needed to step in and publish a press release about how terrible this “challenge” is getting.  It blows my mind.

I’m not sure how old your children are, but if they are small enough that you can hide your Tide Pods somewhere high where they can’t see or reach them, that would probably be ideal.  In the first three weeks of 2018, a total of 86 cases were filed where poison control needed to be called for intentional ingestion of Tide Pods that caused adverse side effects.  They are claiming that majority of these cases are coming from kids between the ages of 13 and 19 where they are eating Tide Pods as a challenge.

What Can Happen When Eating Tide Pods?

If you eat one of those Tide Pods, you risk having a seizure, having pulmonary edema, going into respiratory arrest, coma, and worst case scenario death.  Why would you want to risk your life over some stupid challenge where you’re eating Tide Pods?  Kids… I’m talking to you!  You have your entire life ahead of you and you want to risk ending things before they even truly begin?  You haven’t even graduated high school yet!  The power of influence and peer pressure can be somewhat controlling during those early teenage years, but you need to know the difference between a good idea and a bad.

 

What Needs to Be Done to Prevent Kids from Eating Tide Pods?

Other than parents talking with their kids, other efforts have been enforced.  YouTube has teamed up with Proctor & Gamble (the maker of Tide Pods) and they are actively reviewing and removing videos from YouTube of kids eating Tide Pods.  Personally, I think this will definitely help.  If the challenge isn’t being broadcast, there’s really no reason to eat Tide Pods to prove you’re “cool.” 

Proctor & Gamble also brought on New England Patriot’s Tight-End, Rob Gronkowski, to put out a public service message telling kids to stop eating Tide Pods.  Personally, I think the PSA from Gronk was pretty worthless, but nonetheless, hopefully, his message will stop some kids from eating Tide Pods.

The POWER of INFLUENCE

The power of influence can go one of two ways.  It can either be helpful or hurtful.  Influence that kids have on each other along with peer pressure can cause kids to do some pretty stupid things (like eating Tide Pods).  That’s where OUR influence needs to come in.  As parents and role models, we need to help our kids understand that following the wrong kids can lead you down a path that you don’t want to go.  Don’t allow the power of influence to put you in the situation where you don’t feel comfortable doing something.  Don’t allow the power of influence to make you do something that you know is wrong and dangerous by giving into peer pressure and eating Tide Pods.

It might not be the “cool thing to do” by backing away and not taking part in eating Tide Pods and videotaping it.  But, YOUR INFLUENCE to say “NO” can help save many other kids’ lives.  Be the change and the hope you want to see in the community.  Don’t allow influence and peer pressure to define who you are and your beliefs.  Stand tall and be proud that you said no to the Tide Pods challenge.

If you see someone or kids eating Tide Pods, call the Poison Help hotline immediately at 1-800-222-1222.

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