Not long ago, it was widely believed that the best option for avoiding sickness was washing with soap and water. In recent years, many new products have been invented that claim to disinfect more effectively. However, due to the many chemicals contained in these sanitizers, questions still remain about whether or not these products are totally safe for you and your children.

The largest issue concerning hand sanitizers is the use of alcohol as an ingredient. Sanitizers need to be at least 60% alcohol to kill germs. In comparison, hard liquors usually contain around 40% alcohol. If a child were to consume the sanitizer, it would not take much to raise their blood alcohol content to a very dangerous level.

As a result of its potentially severe consequences, it is crucial to keep watch over your children as they apply the sanitizer. Store it in a place they cannot access, be sure they don’t lick their hands until it has dried, and constantly remind them that it is unsafe to eat. In the event that your child does ingest some of the sanitizer, immediately call poison control for assistance.

In response to this danger, many non-alcoholic sanitizers have appeared on the market. Even though they are marketed as family safe, they could be even more of a hazard. The first issue is that they are less effective against killing germs. Additionally, their method of eliminating bacteria can cause the bacteria to mutate and become more resistant to medicines.

Contrary to popular belief, some germs help us to remain healthy. Similarly to vaccines, germs expose us to tiny amounts of disease, which we destroy and build immunity. However, this is not to say that sanitary practices should be completely disregarded. Always wash your hands after using the restroom and cooking. The important thing is to not become so obsessed with cleanliness that you sanitize yourself every time you suspect you have come into contact with germs. If this occurs, it is much more probable that you will become extremely sick when bacteria slip past the body’s main defenses.

As sanitizers cannot discriminate, they also kill the good bacteria, in addition to the harmful types. Good bacteria actually defend the body against diseases and sicknesses.

Hand sanitizers can be a strong alternative to soap and water if you cannot reach a sink. However, when possible, soap and water should always be the first choice. If used as directed, hand sanitizers are a great addition to a healthy lifestyle.