Children eating 'sweet-like' washing tabs: More than one child a day receives emergency treatment for swallowing the liquid The capsules are usually brightly coloured and wrapped in clear plastic Most of the children injured had eaten or swallowed the tablets Families have been warned to keep detergents locked away from children Alarming numbers of toddlers are being taken to hospital after eating washing machine detergent capsules. On average more than one child a day needs emergency medical treatment in Britain after mistaking them for sweets. The capsules, which contain a cocktail of chemicals, are usually brightly coloured and wrapped in clear plastic. The capsules, which contain a cocktail of chemicals, are usually brightly coloured and wrapped in clear plastic Most of the children injured had eaten or swallowed the capsules, which can cause severe internal burns and swelling. Others are hurt after the chemicals are rubbed or squirted into their eyes. Figures from the National Poisons Information Service show that 1,486 patients were treated for detergent poisoning between May 2009 and July 2012. Nearly all were under five. Nearly half of children vomited and other common symptoms included coughing or choking, eye pain, drowsiness and red eye. The scale of the problem has been confirmed by a US study which reveals a child under six is taken to hospital every hour after swallowing a detergent capsule. "Laundry detergent pods are small, colourful, and may look like candy or juice to a young child," said Marcel Casavant, a co-author of the study and medical director of the Central Ohio Poison Center. It can take just a few seconds for children to grab them, break them open, and swallow the toxic chemicals they contain, or get the chemicals in their eyes. Nearly half of children vomited, other symptoms included coughing or choking. The capsules have become popular in recent years as they save having to measure out washing powder and don't clog up the detergent draw as they go straight in with the clothes. The capsules are also used in dishwashers. One leading manufacturer has begun changing packaging to tackle the problem, with wrappers that are not see through and chid-safe containers. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has warned families to keep detergents locked away. The society also wants the industry to look at making packaging less attractive to children.