This hazard symbol tells us that washing detergent must not be handled by children. Photo: 185630844 | Copyright: fotohansel, fotolia.com

Did you know that? What packaging symbols really mean

Single-portion washing agents are extremely handy. Their use not only saves times but also avoids spillage and ensures perfect dosage (at least for a fully loaded washing machine). This helps both the budget and the environment. It's child's play - so to speak.

However, not every lemon squeezy should be handled by kids – and certainly not any sort of detergent. Nice, colourful little capsules can be very tempting for inquisitive little explorers, and we all know that younger kids particularly enjoy exploring things with their mouths. A study, conducted by the Robert Koch Institute shows that 85 per cent of all accidents involving one and two-year-olds take place at home.

Ariel has equipped the packaging of its 3in1 pods with a click lock that provides an audible signal to show that the packaging has been closed properly. Photo: Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH

To prevent accidents, detergent manufacturers have added a bitter taste to the packaging film round the capsules. Also, click lock seals on the outer packaging provide an audible click, indicating whether the packaging has been sealed safely.

Another form of protection is childproof closures which are so big that the little darlings can’t actually get their hands round them. In addition, the screw cap can only be opened if you squeeze it simultaneously on both sides. Finally, all detergent packaging comes with hazard markings to show that the product must be kept out of reach of children.