Kids in danger of burns and temporary BLINDNESS by mistaking laundry capsules for SWEETS

Incidents involving the often brightly-coloured liquid or gel detergent capsules are happening with "deeply alarming" frequency, the Local Government Association found.

The organisation is now warning parents to ensure they are kept out of children's reach.

The tablets contain a cocktail of chemicals which can cause serious harm if eaten.

They can lead to burn-related injuries, internal swelling, breathing difficulties or the risk of falling into a coma.

Victims can even suffer temporary blindness if they get into their eyes.

Latest figures showed there was more than one incident every day involving laundry capsules and a child, usually aged under five.

A survey by the UK's National Poison Information Service found there were more than 2,000 recorded cases in five years.

Four children suffered breathing difficulties, one had a burned airway and four needed the support of a ventilator.

The LGA has joined forces with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to raise awareness ahead of Child Safety Week next week.

LGA spokeswoman Izzi Seccombe said: "Councils with their responsibility for public health have concerns over the growing number of incidents involving a child and laundry capsules.

"Their brightly coloured appearance and small size mean a lot of children mistake them for sweets. If they bite into the capsule it will cause a cocktail of harmful chemicals to dissolve in their mouth and be ingested, causing serious harm.

"Keeping these tablets in a place where children can't access them, either locked away or in a cupboard they can't reach, would significantly reduce the chances of a young child getting hold of them.

"The frequency with which these incidents are happening — at least once a day — is deeply alarming and yet they can be easily prevented with a few simple steps of caution."

RoSPA public health adviser Sheila Merrill said: "All household chemicals should be stored either up high or in a lockable cupboard. 

"Keep an eye out if you are doing the laundry while children are present too, as it only takes a second for them to get hold of one."