The current Covid-19 pandemic warrants that all of us, regardless of age, practice hand hygiene at all times, which has been proven to be effective in stopping, or at least, slowing down the spread of the deadly virus. While washing our hands with clean water and soap is probably the best way to go about this, it’s not always possible to do so. Hence the need for hand sanitisers, even for children!
Hand sanitisers have to contain at least 60% alcohol to work properly, hence this could potentially pose a danger to kids. As it is, there have already been cases of accidental ingestion of hand sanitiser products, both by adults as well as kids. Therefore, safety is of utmost concern when children are expected to use hand sanitisers in their day-to-day lives.
10 facts every parent should know about hand-sanitisers and children
1. If possible, children should be supervised when using a hand sanitiser
2. Use as directed on the bottle: Always read and follow the label directions on hand sanitizers, and encourage school-going children to do the same
3. If a child has to carry a hand sanitiser to school or kindergarten, ensure that it is in a suitable container which does not resemble any food product or drink, to avoid confusion and accidental ingestion
4. Keep hand sanitizers out of reach of toddlers and young children, especially those with pleasant smell and come in brightly coloured bottles
5. Teach children proper ways of using hand sanitisers – this includes teaching them about the dangers of ingesting it
6. Ensure that little ones do not rub their eyes when their hands are wet with sanitizer
7. Ensure that the hand sanitising product your child is using does not contain technical-grade ethanol. Always check the label to be sure
8. If a hand sanitizer product is swallowed, call our National Poison Centre at: 04-6570099 (office hours, Monday-Friday); or 04-4309499 (Non-office hours, Monday-Sunday, Public holidays). Visit: www.prn.usm.my for more information
9. Report any health product adverse events or complaints to our National Poison Centre
10. It is relatively safe for children to eat with their hands or lick their hands after using hand sanitizer, as long as their hands are dry
Kid-friendly hand sanitisers we like!
Offspring Child-Friendly Hand Sanitiser: Infused with Australian-grown lemon myrtle essential and plant-derived denatured alcohol, it keeps your child’s skin moisturised and protected at the same time.
Bentley Organic Mother & Baby Hand Sanitiser: An organic hand sanitiser formulated with organic aloe vera extracts and Bitter Orange peel extracts.
Eskulin Kids Hand Sanitiser: Specially formulated for children, to keep their hands clean, soft and moisturised.
Chomel Hand Sanitiser: This advanced plant-based hand sanitiser is made with naturally derived Glycerin and Vitamin E to help clean and moisturise without a sticky residue.
Squly & Friends Antibac Hand Sanitiser: Contains sunflower seed oil and avocado oil to nourish skin while cleaning it. Available in two variants: Raspberry and Wildberry.
