Bristol mother issues warning after laundry pod causes child burns

One year-old Millie suffered third degree burns to her eyes after getting hold of a washing machine pod

A mother has warned of the dangers of keeping washing machine pods stored within reach of children after her one-year-old daughter suffered third-degree burns to her eyes.

Kelly Spampinato, from Bristol, said Millie had been unable to open her eyes for days.

The toddler had found a pod in a cupboard and squeezed it over her face.

"I was heartbroken. I felt like the worst mum in the world and I honestly thought she would be blind," she said.

Millie had found the laundry pods after her six-year-old brother opened a cupboard in the kitchen.

"I was vacuuming in the living room when I heard her screams. She must have squeezed a pod because her face was covered with it," said Ms Spampinato.

"I put cold water on her face but she continued screaming so I rang 111 and they advised us to take her to Southmead [Hospital] A&E."

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Kelly Spampinato said her daughter has suffered third-degree burns after handling wash pods

At Southmead Hospital, nursing staff rinsed Millie's eyes with water and neutralised the chemicals with a spray.

For the next few days the one-year-old was unable to open her eyes and the skin around them remained sore.

"My other children were asking if she would ever open her eyes again, I didn't know what to say," said Ms Spampinato.

"I never imagined this could happen."

The tablets, which are used in washing machines and dishwashers, are often soft in texture, making them attractive to pre-school age children.

But they contain alkaline chemicals which can burn the eyes and lead to long-term eyesight problems.

If an accident occurs, parents are advised to rinse their child's eye in cool running water for 20 minutes and seek medical help.

If the chemicals are swallowed, children can choke and have serious breathing problems, in which case parents should call emergency services straight away.

Millie suffered third-degree burns to her eyes after getting hold of a wash pod

After receiving treatment, including eye drops, Millie was finally able to open her eyes on Monday.

Consultants have said Millie should make a full recovery after her ordeal and her vision should return to normal.

It was a "big relief" for everyone, her mother said.

"When she opened her eye and put her arms out to me, we were all crying and and it was lovely," said Ms Spampinato.

Other parents are now being warned of the risks that the liquitabs can present, especially to young children.

'I keep pods high up'

"I see a lot of mums with dishwasher tabs in an open jar, and it all it takes is two minutes for a child to get their hands on them," said Ms Spampinato.

"The pods have pretty colours and they can attract children. I now use a high-up cupboard to keep them locked away and out of reach.

"Millie has been really lucky.

"I wouldn't want this to happen to any other family, it's just been horrendous for us all."