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The Parent's Ultimate Guide and Resources for Back to School Safety & Sanitising

July 05, 2020

The Parent's Ultimate Guide and Resources for Back to School Safety & Sanitising

As we ease out of the Circuit Breaker and classes slowly resume, a sense of normalcy is restored. Although children may be excited to get back to school and mingle with their classmates, we still have to remain vigilant and keep up good hygiene practices and safety measures to keep the coronavirus (nCOVID-19) at bay.

From on the go to right at home; a comprehensive guide including the dangers of alcohol sanitisers, organic products to keep children safe from bacteria and germs, encouraging good hand hygiene, and sanitising surfaces. Here are the different ways to help you and your kids stay safe and sanitised at every point as they start returning to school.

On the Go | Hands | Belongings | Masks | At Home | Hand Washing | Resources

On the Go

Children in the car

Hands

Germs are everywhere, and hands are their primary method of transportation. Researchers found that using hand sanitizer and disinfecting desktops daily cut absences for illness in half in primary schools.

However, proceed with caution. Most hand and surface sanitizers contain at least 60% alcohol and other chemicals, which could be lethal for young children if consumed:

“Swallowing just a tiny amount of hand sanitizer can cause alcohol poisoning in children. Alcohol poisoning in children can cause low blood sugar, seizures, coma and death.” - American Academy of Paediatrics[1]

When looking for sanitizers for children, check for those labelled “denatured”. Sanitizers or other products that contain denatured alcohol, pre-process the alcohol with another chemical or substance to create a sour taste which attempts to prevent young children or those who are unable to read labels from accidentally ingesting it.

From nail-biting to licking and scratching, it can get hard to keep your child’s hands out of their mouths and eyes. A safe alternative to harsh chemical hand sanitizers is natural/organic hand sanitizers. The popular Bentley Organic’s Hand Sanitizers are 100% safe for children (and even pets!) to use and is proven to kill 99.9% of germs including E.Coli and Listeria. These hand sanitizers are also free from alcohol and harmful chemicals, so you don’t have to worry if a little accidentally makes its way into your little one’s mouths.

Bentley Organic Mother and Baby Hand Sanitiser
Bentley Organic Lemon Oil Hand Sanitiser
Bentley Organic Organic Hand Sanitizer Fragrance Free 99.9% effective against germs

For a handy 50 ml size, you can get up to 125 applications per bottle – making it perfect for on-the-go sanitization. Plus, it’s biodegradable formula makes it environment friendly. A functional size to throw in cars and baby bags for sanitation on the go!

Belongings

Germs on Belongings and how to get rid of them

At any point in time, germs have countless opportunities to stick onto every item we bring out with us. From backpacks to pens, the list of surfaces bacteria could be hiding is endless!

The New England Journal of Medicine found that the coronavirus (nCOVID-19) particles stay viable in the air for up to 3 hours, on copper surfaces for up to 4 hours, on cardboard up to 24 hours and on plastic and stainless steel up to 72 hours (Live Science, 2020[2]).

So when children go to school, germs, bacteria and viruses could start living on their pencil cases, books, phones and even shoelaces. Even with regular hand-washing and good hygiene habits, children could still be unknowingly carrying around of germs and bacteria!

We already know about all the harmful and possibly lethal downsides of harsh chemical sanitizers, so make the painless switch to Bentley Organic’s Surface and Toy Sanitiser. This sanitiser is organic certified, blended with plant extracts and proven to kill 99.9% germs. Its formula is tough on germs and yet environmentally friendly and safe to use around pets and children.

Bentley Organic Surface and Toy Sanitiser

Formulated without bleach, sulphates or phosphates, it leaves surfaces clean. It also comes in 2 sizes, 500 ml for the home and a handy 50 ml for parents on the go. Skip the nasty chemicals and kill germs with a single spray! 

Masks

Face masks are now mandatory for anyone stepping out of the house, and for children aged 2 and above. The 3-ply surgical masks may be the first thing that comes to mind, but it’s definitely not the most eco-friendly[3] or economical option.

Our GB2626-2006 certified Children’s Face Mask is washable and comes with replaceable activated carbon filters. It also comes with an adjustable ear strap and nose bridge for easy comfort.

N95 KN95 Filter PM2.5 Childrens Face Mask Washable with Replaceable Anti-Pollution Activated Carbon Filter

Wash germs and bacteria away after every use[4] with a fragrance-free detergent and hang to dry, and replace filters weekly to ensure optimal levels of hygiene.

(Discover all Filter Face Masks and Filters including washable face masks for Adults)

At Home

Encourage Good Hand-Washing Habits

Hand washing

Besides reminding kids about safe distancing measures, educating children on hand hygiene and proper handwashing technique is the best way to prevent tiny tots from catching all kinds of diseases and infections, from coronavirus to the common cold. It is such a simple step but often sorely overlooked. Check out MOH’s Guide to Clean Hands for useful information and some ideas on introducing and encouraging good hand washing habits at home.

Health Hub[5] has outlined some important times for handwashing including:

Before and after

  • ​Handling or preparing food
  • Meals
  • Caring for someone who is sick
  • Eating or feeding a child
  • Treating a cut
  • Giving medicine

After

  • ​Using the washroom
  • Wiping or blowing one's nose
  • Coughing or sneezing
  • Changing diapers
  • Touching common surfaces such as lift buttons, doorknobs, handles, tabletops
  • Touching rubbish or something dirty
  • Playing with or touching pets 

For those with sensitive skin or wary of chemicals, these soil association organic and vegan certified hand washes may be just right for your household: 

Bentley Organic Hand Washes

And don’t forget to sanitise surfaces and children’s toys at least once a day too (with Bentley Organic’s Surface and Toy Sanitiser!)

Check out Bentley Organic’s Non-Toxic Household Cleaning Agents and Home Care range for more organic household cleaners and organic sanitisers.

Bentley Organic Homecare & Sanitizers

Are there any methods you use to encourage your kids to stay safe and practice good hygiene? Share with us in the comments!

The Parent's Ultimate Guide and Resources for Back to School Safety and Sanitising

Further Reading & Resources

[1] https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Hand-Sanitizers-Keep-Children-Safe-from-Poisoning-Risk.aspx

[2] https://www.livescience.com/how-long-coronavirus-last-surfaces.html

[3] https://www.energylivenews.com/2020/03/17/coronavirus-face-masks-could-have-a-devastating-effect-on-the-environment/

[4] https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/wellness/how-to-clean-wash-reusable-cloth-masks-correctly-12636384

[5] https://www.healthhub.sg/




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