This case report describes the clinical presentation and emergency management of detergent-induced corneal burn in a 5-year-old boy, playing at home on an inclined slip-slide. The offending agent was household dishwashing detergent which had been poured onto the play-slide to facilitate better smoothness for sliding, a common, although potentially dangerous practice. This article is intended to highlight the potential dangers of apparently innocuous household articles, the benefit of immediate, simple interventions and the potential of bedside diagnostic tools to monitor the efficacy of intervention. It also emphasises the role of preventive care in household injuries.