Mom’s Warning After Toddler’s Horrific Washing Capsule Injury: ‘It Needs More Warnings’

A Perth mom is urging parents and manufacturers to take household hazards seriously after her four-year-old daughter endured three surgeries and 16 days in the hospital from a seemingly harmless mistake.

The Tragic Moment: A ‘Safe’ Item Turns Dangerous

Jodi Lowe, 32, handed her daughter Luca a laundry capsule in March, assuming the child’s lack of a “biting habit” made it safe. But within seconds, Luca bit the pod, releasing caustic liquid that sprayed into her eyes. “She rubbed her eyes, spreading it everywhere,” Lowe recalled.

Despite rinsing Luca’s eyes in the shower (as the package instructed), the toddler screamed in agony. A call to the poison hotline sent them to the hospital, where doctors discovered severe chemical burns. “They tried flushing her eyes for hours, but the damage was already done,” Lowe said.

Three Surgeries and a Scary Recovery

Luca underwent three surgeries, including an amniotic membrane transplant, after doctors found corneal defects. Though her vision is expected to fully return in 6–12 months, the trauma left her family reeling. “She wouldn’t open her eyes at first; we feared a fourth surgery,” Lowe said. “Now her left eye is still healing, but we’re hopeful.”

The family was shocked to learn how common such incidents are. “We heard about another girl who lost an eye from this,” said Luca’s grandmother. “It’s a nightmare no parent should face.”

A Plea for Stronger Warnings

Lowe criticizes the packaging’s vague advice to “seek medical advice,” noting it lacks urgency. “The label says ‘keep away from kids,’ but nothing about hospital-level emergencies,” she said. “No one expects a tiny pod to cause burns requiring surgeries.”

Unilever, the brand’s manufacturer, responded: “We take this seriously. Our capsules have child-safe locks and warnings, but we’re reviewing our Australian packaging to ensure clearer guidance.”

A Stark Reminder for All Families

Lowe’s message is clear: Treat all household chemicals as emergencies waiting to happen. “Even if your kid ‘would never bite something,’ don’t risk it,” she urged. “These capsules are deceptively dangerous—like candy to little ones.”

As Luca slowly recovers, her mom hopes their story saves another family from similar trauma. “I want companies to add bold warnings: ‘Poison—call 911 immediately if ingested or in eyes.’ Maybe then parents will realize the stakes.”