Well, this sort of belongs here.

My mom sent me an e-mail this evening concerning the dangers of hand sanitizer for young children. Apparently if it is accidentally ingested, it can result in alcohol poisoning.

Snopes says it's true.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/sanitizer.asp

FYI, and all that.

I hate the stuff anyway 'cause it makes your hands feel sticky. This is just one more reason for me not to buy it.

Knit Wit

I don't let my boy wash his hands....need to build up that immune system there....

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I don't let my boy wash his hands....need to build up that immune system there....

A-MEN to that! This may sound like a slight to my beloved mother, but we were some dirty-magurties in them thar mountains, and that is what I credit for my strapping good health as an adult. I have no allergies. I do use a bit of hand santizer from time to time, but I am by no means fastidious about it. Let your kids wallow in the filth!

--dorkanon5007

Being a Colorado family we rarely use that stuff - but on our recent trip to NYC we used the Bath and Body Works Banana Hand soap every time we got off the subway. (yikes!!) That stuff seems to be a bit less poison-ridden.

AGJ

We much prefer wet wipes to most anything, but only use those for "sticky" situations. Well, and when there isn't any soap in the public restrooms, which is more often that I like!!! I hate the way the sanitizer smells! It feels like it's burning your nose hairs right off!!! LOL!!!!

moonshowr

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It feels like it's burning your nose hairs right off!!!

My objection to it also. I really only posted it here so people whose kids might be in preschool (or elementary) would see it and could alert the teachers/caregivers. I know when my youngest was in preschool, they used sanitizer by the case and left it on the counters and tables sometimes where even the smallest kids could get it.

We also use wet wipes for hands after boxing trips.

Knit wit

we use wet wipes for cleaning hands and stamps. we also got some antibacterial wet wipes (from the pack a lunch area of the store) that we use for cleaning scrapes acquired on the trail, before we put on the neosporin and the bandaid.

I don't like the sticky residue of the sanitizer...and (probably incorrectly) I feel that the majority of these antibacterial soaps are helping kill off the weaker germs leaving the stronger ones to attack me and mine...so I generally avoid antibacterial anything other than the aforementioned wipes in the first aid kit. the best thing to remove germs from unbroken skin is soap and water. germs on broken skin is another matter...

night writer

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I use it to simply dilute the Urushiol oil in Poison Ivy

You do?

STOP!!! STOP!! STOP!

All you need is water, water and water. Alcohol will actually ACCELERATE your body's absorption of the urushiol, possible getting it into your bloodstream. And that's very bad news.

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I use it to simply dilute the Urushiol oil in Poison Ivy

You do?

STOP!!! STOP!! STOP!

All you need is water, water and water. Alcohol will actually ACCELERATE your body's absorption of the urushiol, possible getting it into your bloodstream. And that's very bad news.

ok, i am a bit confused now. i was told to use certain hand sanitizers to help fit off outbrakes of poison ivy.

rockin and rollin in the granite state
david (team new hampshire)
http://teamnewhampshire.blogspot.com

My kids get dirty enough even WITH using that stuff. They are dirt-magnets.

Mama Phoenix

Well back in the old days..as part of some of my "other"activities, I used hand sanitizer as a party trick. Kids...don't read ahead. Adults...here's some fun*:

Get a soaking wet towel and have it nearby and ready. Wipe hand sanitizer up your arm and then light with a match. After the fun, douse with the towel as needed.

Another fun one is to put a gob of hand sanitizer in the palm of your hands. wipe your hands together to spread it and then have someone light your hands. "Wash" your hands ( by wiping back and forth quickly so as to evaporate the stuff) to quickly to put out your flaming hands.

Another favorite is the burning pentagram on someone's back. Squeeze hand sanitizer into a pentagram pattern. Light. Douse with towel, if needed.

Of course, keep away from your face and your clothing. It burns extra hot, but the stuff evaporates pretty quickly. Even more sensational in the dark. This is the cheap man's version of my main act using Zel Gel and Pyro Gel...but that's for another day....

LW PhD
"Nice Counts"

Wayyyy safer than all those men who insist on adding lighter fluid or gas to an already lit fire....

Hmm,

Sounds like an excellent party trick! Were keg stands involved? I will NEVER look at hand sanitizer the same way again!

T. of
TheThreeCs

ps The smell of burned hair makes me want to puke!

Not sure if anyone metioned this yet...just in case, I'll mention it now. Hand sanitizer is extremely flamable. So, those out camping while using the stuff need to be very careful...and with the Fourth of July on its way, even sparklers could be an issue if you or your child has used hand sanitizer. Be careful!