Marshall & Sterling Insurance June, 2016 | Page 9

June 2016

Health and wellness tips for your work and life—
presented by

Detergent Packet Poisoning
How to Turn a Bad Day Around
Life is full of unexpected frustrations. Running
late, spilling coffee on yourself or getting into
an argument can start your day off on the
wrong foot. The good news is that you can
control your mood and prevent these
obstacles from ruining your entire day.
The most important thing you can do is to
focus on the positive. Studies show that when
you’re positive, you have 23 percent fewer
health-related effects from stress, you’re 31
percent more productive, you’re 40 percent
more likely to receive a promotion and your
creativity levels triple.
Here are a few ways to turn a bad day around:
•

Pinpoint the concrete reason for your
frustration and address it
immediately.

•

Write down or recite three things you
are grateful for.

•

Choose not to be a victim of your
frustration. Make a conscious effort to
be positive.

•

Set realistic expectations for your day.

Negative emotions can be contagious. It is
worth taking control of your mood—not just
for yourself—but for those around you.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and
is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion
or opinions be construed as professional advice. Readers
should contact a health professional for appropriate advice.
© 2016 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Research is finding that children are consuming a dangerously
large number of detergent packets. Calls to poison control
centers increased 17 percent from 2013 to 2014. More than
22,000 children (mostly under age 3) were exposed to laundry
packets during that period, according to the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP also noted a 14 percent increase in
calls to poison centers concerning exposure to dishwasher
detergent packets.
The packets (or pods) were introduced in 2012 as a less messy
alternative to detergent powder, but their colorful designs and
strong fragrances can be attractive to children. When ingested,
the liquid packets double a child’s odds of being admitted to a
medical facility, because they are more toxic than traditional
detergents.
Exposure to packets of laundry detergent can cause vomiting,
throat burns and eye injuries. More severe cases can include
breathing cessation, comas, cardiac arrest and even death.
Procter & Gamble, which makes detergents that include Gain
and Tide, has set up ad campaigns to emphasize safety in
households that use the packets, and says it has made its
packaging more difficult for children to open.
Researchers recommend that parents of children under age 6
use traditional laundry detergent instead of the packets. Also,
detergent should be stored out of sight and out of children’s
reach in a locked cabinet, and monitored closely while the
cabinet is open.