Hand sanitizing the children ??

[DisneyPrincess]

Do you put hand sanitizer on children 20 months and up ??? I wasnt but... they understand to cough or sneeze in the arm when ask but of course not quite do it on their own. So they cough in their hands sometimes... guess thats better then in other friends faces !!

So its a drag to pick them up and hurry them to the sink to wash hands with disinfecting soap each time, its hard for the back :( Do you see any harm in putting hand sanitizer on their hands ??

Its sounds irresponsible of me... but wanted to ask anyways !

[Sandbox Sally]

Wash hands. Hand sanitizer is full of chemicals. Using these harsh chemicals isn't doing much that soap and water can't do.

[bright sparks]

Hand sanatizer is a chemical and contains alcohol so of course to put it in their mouths is dangerous. While they arent going to get drunk or have alcohol poisoning from such a small amount, it may still make them have some symptoms of tummy ache etc. I think part of the problem with high cases of illness comes from people being to neurotic about cleanliness, using things like hand sanatizers when soap and water would surfise. Also the children need to be exposed to certain bacterias in order to build up a good immune system. My bet is that using hand sanitizer may or may not help reduce the amount of sickness we see in our home daycares, but surely after a year or two of exposure with just regular hand washing will result in healthier children in the long run. Also, hand sanitizer is SO HARD on skin. Why bother when there is a better alternative. Also, this is cold and flu season for goodness sake, everyone is bound to get sick to some degree, and IMO a little cold is not the end of the world.

[DisneyPrincess]

Well even if its cold and flu season... no harm also in trying to prevent everyone getting it if one is sick... trying to stop the germs thread, I did say trying even though nothing can actually be done ! I'll still keep washing hand as often as possible then... hey I do my best here !!

[mimi]

I don't use hand sanitizer for the little ones though I do keep a bottle in my entrance way for the adults who don't know to sneeze/cough into their elbow. I don't want them touching my door handles with those hands! With the kids old enough to understand I always give them gentle reminders through out the day to use their elbows.

[kidlove]

if you have no other option? hand sanitize. Better than nothing at all. Out in stores, sanitize...riding in car, sanitize. but if the kids are in your home...wash! it is a pain and maybe you can get a higher stool so you don't have to lift them each time, not to mention I work on them from the age of 2 or shortly before to master hand washing with my help, they turn on the warm (not cold) they squirt, they scrub, they rinse, get down and dry. i will help the younger ones of course, but I think washing is much better and cleaner too. Sanitizer is filled with harsh chemicals and alcohol that really dries out the little ones hands. it can do more harm than good sometimes, if it dries out too much the hands can crack, making the body even more suseptable to picking up yuck germs. sanitizer is a good in the purse in car on the go backup, not for in the home. although I do leave a bottle at the front door for parents to use when picking up their kids. :)

[Dreamalittledream]

Shoppers Drug Mart sells their own brand (Balea) of Hand Sanitizer for kids. I use that when they first get here in the morning; otherwise, hand wash.

[DisneyPrincess]

That is awesome if they have one for children, I'll look it up, it will be useful then when we go out (well in the summer mostly I guess).

[BlueRose]

My cousin is a ER Dr. she gets a lot of kids coming in with alcohol poisoning because of hand sanitizer. Not always because the kids us it, but their parents do and it transfers to the kid and seeps into their skin then into their blood.

I would never us it on a kid, unless it was designed for kids (non-alcohol). I would also be every up set if someone used it on my kids without my permission.

[mimi]

What the .... ???? LOL so are they for or against sanitizers?:confused :

[Skysue]

http://safety.lovetoknow.co m/Hand_Sanitizer_Dange rs


Opening your windows even on the coldest days for minimum of 15 minutes to air out the house will remove most airborne viruses.

I open my windows in my main area of the daycare daily for 1/2 to an hour each day. Even the nap room gets aired out. My daycare kids hardly get sick, we also try and get as much fresh air as possible.

[Crayola kiddies]

Back to the original post .... A friend if mine uses alcohol free hand sanitizer for her children as they have skin sensitivities...... I have no idea what it's called or where she gets it as I don't buy the stuff.

[Skysue]

[QUOTE=Crayola kiddies;36543]Back to the original post ....

? Was that directed at me or just due to the crazy hack portion of the post?

[playfelt]

How would a non alcohol sanitizer work as I thought it was the alcohol that did the sanitizing?

I wash them when I can, grab a babywipe and swipe as much gunk as I can but do not fret too much as the germs are being passed around even without the forgetting to sneeze into their arms.

[sunnydays]

I don't sanitize the kids hands...just wash with soap and water for a full 15 seconds...we sing Twinkle Twinkle. I help the kids wash so it is done properly, but let the older ones try first, teaching them how to do it properly and not missing wrists etc. I just attended a workshop on preventing illness in the daycare setting (a public health nurse was the presenter) and she said that sanitizers have to have 70% alcohol to work....so I will use that when necessary for myself (ex. if I am changing a diaper and get poop on my hand, I will use it before I get to the sink to wash...but will ultimately do both). I am relieved to hear Playfelt echo my thoughts...we can disinfect, clean, sanitize like crazy, but chances are they will still get sick. I go common sense...hand washing, cleaning properly, not sharing cups etc.

[Inspired by Reggio]

I use running water and soap whenever possible and than 'wipes' when we are not somewhere with running water.

I personally only use hand sanitizer for myself and as a last resort and only in moderation cause I feel I need more than what a wipe can offer 'cleaning wise' ~ just too much uncertainty about how the 'antibacterial' aspect of them in relation to creating 'super bugs' :(

[Momof4]

DisneyPrincess, don't mind the spammers, haha! In a perfect world we would be rid of all of them.

I have some medical training and I know that all of us have our own natural flora or bacteria that live on our bodies which attack outside invasive bacteria/virus because our skin is our first line of defence. If you usually use hand sanitizer then you are killing your natural flora which leaves you open to invasive diseases. I know most people aren't aware of this fact especially since they want you to use the stuff when you enter a medical facility which is really ironic.

Anyway, I also agree with the posters who are concerned about the alcohol in the hand sanitizers, not good! I use wipes or soapy washcloths on my daycare children.

[Crayola kiddies]

[QUOTE=Crayola kiddies;36543]Back to the original post ....

? Was that directed at me or just due to the crazy hack portion of the post?

That was directed at the spammer sky ; )

[Skysue]

[QUOTE=Skysue;36567]

That was directed at the spammer sky ; )

I thought so! :)

[Inspired by Reggio]

Gotta love spam that comes with the word 'hacker' in the email :rolleyes:

[DisneyPrincess]

LOL so are they for or against sanitizers?:confused :

I wrote the ''WHAT THE...'' message when I saw there was post of BANK HACKERS... didnt you see ??? Yesturday the forum was full of the same HACKER MESSAGES ?!?! I wrote to the admin and they deleted it !! but my message stayed there after lolll

[Inspired by Reggio]

I wrote the ''WHAT THE...'' message when I saw there was post of BANK HACKERS... didnt you see ??? Yesturday the forum was full of the same HACKER MESSAGES ?!?! I wrote to the admin and they deleted it !! but my message stayed there after lolll

Pretty sure Mimi's comment was also directed at the spammers too ~ at least I took it that she was asking if they were for or against sanitizers cause their message was irrelevent to the thread ;)

[mimi]

Yes, that is what I meant Reggio:) Thanks

[DisneyPrincess]

YAH I wasnt sure anymore of all the posts... freaking hackers on a daycare site, are you kidding me :O

[Inspired by Reggio]

YAH I wasnt sure anymore of all the posts... freaking hackers on a daycare site, are you kidding me :O

Yes apparently we must send a vibe that we enjoy some spam with our morning coffee!

[kidlove]

wow bluerose, how much do you think they have to use it in order to get alcohol poisoning? that is crazy. No wonder I hate the stuff! :)

[Dreamalittledream]

http://safety.lovetoknow.co m/Hand_Sanitizer_Dange rs


Opening your windows even on the coldest days for minimum of 15 minutes to air out the house will remove most airborne viruses.

I open my windows in my main area of the daycare daily for 1/2 to an hour each day. Even the nap room gets aired out. My daycare kids hardly get sick, we also try and get as much fresh air as possible.
Great idea! However,my heating company is cheering loudly;). Doesn't that get expensive?

[Skysue]

No, just turn down the thermostat a few degrees, I usually air out the daycare space before the kids arrive, then I slowly raise the heat,as the added bodies warm the house anyway.

We usually have the house at 70 but when the kids are here I turn it down to 68 and it usually goes up a few degrees when the kiddies are running around.

I haven't found the heating bill to be any different.

[DisneyPrincess]

If hand sanitizer is poisoning, why do they have it everywhere especially in healthcare places... c'mon that makes no sense here ?!?!? Even when you go to children's Hospital here in Ottawa, they have the hand sanitizer at the door and you have to sanitize your hands before going in !

[Dreamalittledream]

No, just turn down the thermostat a few degrees, I usually air out the daycare space before the kids arrive, then I slowly raise the heat,as the added bodies warm the house anyway.

We usually have the house at 70 but when the kids are here I turn it down to 68 and it usually goes up a few degrees when the kiddies are running around.

I haven't found the heating bill to be any different.
Awesome! I'm going to try it! I'm all for anything that keeps those germs away!

[playfelt]

Since we put the pur air filter on the new furnace we have for sure had a lot less illness. In theory the filter is capable of removing the spores from the air that cause colds, flu, etc. I'm sure it doesn't get them all and certainly not the ones the kids spread around on the toys but as long as some disappear that makes it worth the cost.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Since we put the pur air filter on the new furnace we have for sure had a lot less illness. In theory the filter is capable of removing the spores from the air that cause colds, flu, etc. I'm sure it doesn't get them all and certainly not the ones the kids spread around on the toys but as long as some disappear that makes it worth the cost.

Yes I got one of those Orek Air filtration systems for Christmas ~ I am loving how crisp the air feels in the playroom it is like the window is always open down there!

[playfelt]

On the issue of how much sanitizer is too much when you consider it is like 65% or so depending on brand alcohol it won't take that much to have an effect since we squirt it on and expect them to rub till it is all absorbed. It not only can be ingested if they lick their hands it can be somewhat absorbed through the skin I have heard.

Personally I don't use it routinely for me or the kids - just regular soap and water, not even the antibacterial kind. I do have the purell in the bathroom and will use it myself after an especially messy diaper or cleaning up throwup but that is about it.

When out and about is when people use it the most and then you also run into the issue of it is on their hands and then they are holding food so ingesting some that way. There are studies out there that talk about the toxicity of the sanitzer.

[sunnydays]

One thing I learned that was useful at the recent workshop I attended, was that you should wear a mask when cleaning up vomit because when you start wiping it up, the particles become airborn and you breath them in...and run a high risk of getting sick. I went out and bought some masks just for this purpose!


On the issue of how much sanitizer is too much when you consider it is like 65% or so depending on brand alcohol it won't take that much to have an effect since we squirt it on and expect them to rub till it is all absorbed. It not only can be ingested if they lick their hands it can be somewhat absorbed through the skin I have heard.

Personally I don't use it routinely for me or the kids - just regular soap and water, not even the antibacterial kind. I do have the purell in the bathroom and will use it myself after an especially messy diaper or cleaning up throwup but that is about it.

When out and about is when people use it the most and then you also run into the issue of it is on their hands and then they are holding food so ingesting some that way. There are studies out there that talk about the toxicity of the sanitzer.

[playfelt]

Having the masks is a really good idea. Not to mention will block some of the smell.