| With recent concerns over H1N1 and other flu | | | | at least 60% alcohol. |
| viruses, many people have turned to hand | | | | Aside from how well sanitizers work, the issue of |
| sanitizers to safeguard their homes and offices. | | | | safety is also important to consider. Since hand |
| The question is, do they really work and how | | | | sanitizers usually contain ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, |
| safe are they? | | | | discretion may be necessary when used with |
| The first point that must be noted in regards to | | | | children. In some cases, kids and particularly |
| sanitizers is that they were never intended as a | | | | toddlers have been known to drink the liquid or |
| complete replacement for washing. If a person's | | | | lick their hands after dispensing. Some schools |
| hands are filthy, hand sanitizer alone cannot | | | | require adults to administer the sanitizer but even |
| penetrate all the dirt and grease required to | | | | this won't prevent kids from nail biting and licking |
| properly clean. | | | | (especially if too much is applied or the sanitizer |
| Another important point that must be emphasized | | | | type doesn't dry fast enough to be monitored). |
| is that in order to get the benefit of the sanitizer, | | | | Thus a sanitizer with 90% alcohol content though |
| the individual must use the same discretion as he | | | | more effective, also brings increased risk. |
| or she would when washing - that is, the sanitizer | | | | Sometimes the attractive packaging, sanitizer |
| must be thoroughly rubbed into all surfaces of the | | | | color and scent may actually be a lure for trouble. |
| hand and let dry to achieve maximum | | | | For this reason, foaming sanitizer formulas have |
| effectiveness. | | | | the advantage of drying quickly. |
| While automatic sanitizer dispensers obviously | | | | It is also important to know that hand sanitizers |
| have their advantages in that they reduce cross | | | | should not be used on open wounds. Moreover, it |
| contamination in not having to actually touch the | | | | doesn't take much imagination to see the potential |
| unit itself, any system is only as good as its | | | | hazard in storing highly flammable alcohol-based |
| weakest link. If faucets, trash container lids and | | | | products in hot cars or around other heat |
| bathroom door handles are not thoroughly | | | | sources. |
| cleaned, the result will undo the benefit of having | | | | Despite safety concerns, when used with proper |
| an automated dispenser. The same holds true for | | | | precaution, hand sanitizers can be an effective |
| kitchen faucets and sinks which are actually a | | | | tool for preventing the spreading of viruses. |
| greater source of bacteria in many cases. | | | | Although there is no guarantee that sanitizers will |
| Likewise, the type of sanitizer used in a dispenser | | | | be effective against every type of germ, on the |
| can greatly impact its effectiveness. Before | | | | whole, they provide one of the best defenses |
| investing in a touch-free dispenser, always make | | | | against cold and flu viruses. |
| sure the manufacturer recommended sanitizer is | | | | |