I've heard the warnings as well - I always keep any of that stuff way on the top shelve well out of their reach, but I wonder with the pods how cost effective is it. They charge around the same as for one of the large jugs of detergent, I like having my 180 load jugs and it works pretty well.
I think of when mom was doing our laundry growing up she'd get the box of detergent that had the tea towel in it or some other prize, clothes came out clean without all these gimmics they push now.