Hand Sanitizers & Children

Hand sanitizers can replace hand washing when soap and water are not available. According to Kids Health, clean hands are the first line of defense in avoiding illness. Your child gets sick easily because he touches his face after coming into contact with germs. Hand sanitizers can kill many of the germs that cause the common cold as well other more serious illnesses. Nothing should replace good hand washing habits, but waterless sanitizers work in a pinch.

Function

Hand sanitizers are designed to kill germs when children are unable to wash their hands using soap and water. The National Research Council, in "Green Schools: Attributes for Health and Learning," reports that hand sanitizers are highly effective at killing germs that cause the common cold. Sanitizers can also kill germs that cause more serious illness and disease including herpes and Hepatitis A.

Considerations

Roy Benaroch, author of "A Guide to Getting the Best Health Care for Your Child," recommends that you carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you. If your child is not able to wash her hands while away from home, hand sanitizer is an effective way to kill germs and prevent her from getting sick. The National Research Council adds that hand sanitizers are often available to parents and children in places such as schools and hospitals. Places where children spend a great deal of time are often the most contaminated and self-contained hand sanitizer stations are spread around many locations. Consider using them as you leave to kill any germs your child picked up while inside.

Benefits

The most obvious benefit of hand sanitizers is that they kill many of the germs that can make your child sick. According to Healthy Children, the common cold and the flu are the most prevalent germs your child will come into contact with in child care centers and in schools. Hand sanitizers can kill these germs before your child touches his face and transmits the germs into his body. Beatrice Trum Hunter, author of "Food and Your Health," adds that hand sanitizers can also kill 99.9 percent of dangerous pathogens that can cause serious illnesses such as hepatitis, E-coli and salmonella. Look for sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol for the most effective germ-killing power.

Warnings

Hand sanitizers provide protection against many illnesses and diseases, writes the National Research Council, but safety is also important. Many hand sanitizers contain at least 60 percent alcohol, making them potentially dangerous if your child ingests them. Always supervise your child's use of hand sanitizer to ensure that she is not using more than she needs. Store sanitizer out of the reach of your child to avoid accidental ingestion and make sure your child completely rubs in her sanitizer since she may put her hands into her mouth.

Expert Insight

Killing germs is important, reports Kids Health, because your child touches his face and unknowingly transmits germs that can make him or your family sick. Hand washing is an important part of childhood hygiene, but hand sanitizers are an effective way to kill germs when your child cannot wash his hands. Hunter weighs in by suggesting that hand sanitizers are an important item to carry with you so you always have a way to defend your child from dangerous pathogens. The bottom line is that clean hands prevent illness and hand sanitizers do the job well.

References

• Kids Health: Why Is Hand Washing So Important?
• "Green Schools: Attributes for Health and Learning"; National Research Council; 2007
• "A Guide to Getting the Best Health Care for Your Child"; Roy Benaroch; 2007
• Healthy Children: Prevention In Child Care or School
• "Food and Your Health"; Beatrice Trum Hunter; 2008