Between September 2009, when Duck Fresh Discs first appeared on the market and March 2010, the National Poisons Centre received 105 calls relating to children who had put bits of a disc in their mouth.
That’s the highest number of calls the centre has received for a new household product.
Duck Fresh Discs come as a tube of gel and a holder which applies a blob to the surface of the toilet bowl. They’re attractive – they look like brightly-coloured lollies. So small children lean over and pick some off the side of the toilet bowl.
While they aren’t regarded as toxic the discs could cause an upset stomach – as could bacteria from the toilet. However, the risk to children is far greater than poisoning. As it leans to reach the disc a toddler could fall head first into the toilet bowl. The centre has received calls for children as young as nine months. At that age a child isn’t well-balanced or steady on its feet. There’s also a risk of choking on the sticky disc.
A Duck Fresh Disc in place
A package we bought highlights a warning that the discs “may be attractive to young children. Use product in an area least visible to children”. But a package bought by the National Poisons Centre earlier this year carries no such warning.
In May 2009 the European Commission reported that the manufacturer, SC Johnson, had issued a voluntary recall of Duck Fresh Discs to permit a warning sticker to be placed on the package. So why was the product launched in New Zealand – in September – without a warning when incidents of children accessing the product had already been reported in the United Kingdom and Europe?
The manufacturer, SC Johnson, says the discs do not pose a health risk to consumers, including children – if ingested. The Poisons Centre pack was likely to be old stock that could not be retrieved before the upgrade in consumer warnings.
See our test report on safety gates and barriers – they help keep toddlers away from dangerous areas.
More information
- National Poisons Centre: 0800 POISON (0800 764 766).
Member Comments
Got a question or comment on this topic? Share your views and experiences with other Consumer members...
To add a comment you need to be a member of consumer.org.nz. Login or Join.
Read what our members have to say close
To save money on essentials and make buying decisions easy, you can't go past Consumer. We're proud to have over 65,000 members all enjoying our independent information online or in Consumer magazine.
Here's what some of them say...
"Just wanted to let you know that I find your site excellent! Easy to find my way around, everything at my fingertips - just a click away.
I only took out a 3 month membership as I wasn't sure but it is actually really easy to use and if I want it on paper I can print the
reports. Thanks again".
Denise Watkinson - Waitakere
"My mother (74) got a renewal letter from her insurance company for her car insurance, wanting $570. After reading
your article on car insurance, I contacted one of the companies you recommended, who quoted her $318 for the same
level of cover. I just wanted to stay thank you very much for your article, as it has saved my mother a substantial amount of money".
Adrian Lane - Kapiti Coast
"I've been a member to the magazine since 1997 and enjoy reading it a lot. I've found lots of helpful information on different issues...
Thank you for being so helpful".
Peter Kovalenko - Porirua
"I have been a member of the Consumer NZ for 20 or more years and have enjoyed much reliable advice.
I turn to their tests before making significant purchases".
Lyndal Print – Auckland
Join Consumer now and make your decisions easy on a huge range of products and services
- Over 500 reports, plus interactive tools and calculators
- Independent advice from NZ's trusted source of information
- Join over 65,000 members who help us get all NZers a fairer deal
from just $28
You may not belive this, but this is the only type of flushable freshner/cleaner that works in our loo, it's great as it sticks straight onto the side and doesn'trequire a p[lastic contraption that fits around the rim somewhere (which also habour germs). However, the manufacturer does need to be clearer with its warnings, I completely agree with that.
I think you have missed the point of the article. It's not about "being precious" for our children (mine climbed trees, skateboarded down roads, etc. and bear the scars to prove it), but it's about a manufacturer introducing a product that is inherantly dangerous to little kids. Why do we need this product given the multitude of toilet fresheners already on the market - it is purely a marketer trying to grap more market share without regard to the customers safety.
Don't blame the product - blame the parent! If toilet doors are kept closed, toilet lids kept down when the toilet isn't in use and young children are supervised when using the toilet, things like this wouldn't happen. Simple, really, just takes a little commonsense parenting...
We are getting very precious with the protection of children. First do not climb trees, then have rubber floors in playgrounds. Now, how do we protect children from falling into the toilet.
We are going to far. If the child is stupid enough to pick bits out of a toiler bowl, well!!!