Living in such unprecedented times, and as Coronavirus continues to spread around the world, frequently washing children’s hands has never been so important.
A simple act of handwashing not only prevents the spread of Coronavirus but also the spread of a myriad of harmful diseases. Germs can survive for up to three hours on our hands and there are between two to ten million bacteria on our fingertips and elbows.
The best way to keep children’s hands free of germs is to wash them with soap and water by following Government recommended guidelines, yet soap and water isn’t always readily available. Hand sanitisers are a great alternative and can be extremely effective when it comes to removing bacteria and viruses.
As schools get ready to fully re-open in September, safety is going to be your top priority and good hand hygiene will be an important part of your strategy. Have you considered how children and parents will be able to sanitise their hands upon entry?
Having a member of staff present at the door with a hand-held bottle of sanitiser could prove to be a long, arduous process. An automated hand sanitising system that is freestanding or wall-mounted could save time and be more effective.
Hand sanitisers are not all created equal and it’s important to choose the right one to keep children safe. High-quality effective sanitisers should kill 99.9999% of all bacteria including MRSA, E Coli and Norovirus.
There are several different hand sanitisers out there but in broad terms they divide into two groups: water- based and alcohol-based. We’ve put together five reasons why water-based sanitisers are more suitable for use in primary schools than alcohol-based ones.
1 | Last longer on children’s hands
Water-based hand sanitisers contain a ‘killer’ agent whose chemicals are dissolved in water. Once the water has evaporated, the ‘killer’ agent is left on your hands, and continues to be active for up to six hours, giving up to six hours protection.
If you go on to touch a dirty surface, you do not become contaminated, and do not pass it on.
In contrast alcohol-based sanitisers act quickly to reduce the bacterial counts on your hands yet it is the alcohol that is the ‘killer’ agent. Once evaporated the ‘killer’ agent has literally disappeared into thin air. If you touch another dirty surface you can become re-contaminated and could pass it on.
2 | Less irritating and kinder to skin
Alcohol-based hand sanitisers can be drying and irritating to skin if used regularly as the alcohol strips away the skin’s natural oils. Water-based hand sanitisers tend to be kinder to the skin and more suitable for those with skin conditions because they contain emollients designed to moisturise.
3 | More acceptable for those who forbid alcohol for religious or cultural reasons
For some families alcohol is forbidden for religious or cultural reasons, therefore alcohol-based hand sanitisers would not be able to be used. Specific religions such as Hinduism, Sikhism and Islamism all prohibit alcohol, however water-based hand sanitisers are considered halal (permissible to use in those faiths).
4 | Pose less danger if used inappropriately
Alcohol-based sanitisers can pose a poison risk to children. Swallowing even a tiny amount of alcohol-based hand sanitiser can be dangerous for children, particularly those under six.
Many are made with alcohol or rubbing alcohol (ethanol, ethyl alcohol, or isopropanol, isopropyl alcohol). Alcohol poisoning symptoms can include sleepiness, low blood sugar, seizures and even coma, therefore water-based sanitisers are a much safer option.
5 | Often scent free
Many children have sensitive noses and the strong smell associated with alcohol-based sanitisers can be harsh for them. The ethanol used in many of the alcohol-based sanitisers available at the current time is to blame for this.
In contrast, water-based sanitisers don’t contain the same strong ingredients and often are scent free.
Adam Taylor is messenger project director at IDS Media UK – provider of digital hand sanitising kiosks.
