Stafford, VA. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public of a widespread social media challenge involving individuals—typically teenagers—filming themselves ingesting laundry detergent pods and then posting the videos online.

The viral phenomenon, dubbed “The Tide Pod Challenge,” is a concerning trend. There have been no reported cases in the county, but the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Office is urging vigilance.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers has warned that concentrated liquid laundry packets can cause serious harm if ingested.

Parents are urged to talk to their teenage children about this dangerous trend and to keep cleaning products in child-resistant containers stored out of the reach of young children.

Anyone who has ingested a laundry detergent pod or observes someone doing so should immediately contact poison control at 1-800-222-1222, or text "poison" to 797979 to save the number as a contact in your phone.