Montreal Families / January 2011 / Should my family use antibacterial products?

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Should my family use antibacterial products?

A pediatrician offers advice about the best ways to keep your kids healthy at home

: I try to keep my home germ-free to prevent my family from getting sick. More and more products are advertising antimicrobial properties. Are these products better than soap and water?

: Antimicrobial chemicals can reduce the spread of disease-causing germs such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. For example, chlorine bleach can destroy harmful bacteria.

Today, many of these products are sold for use in the home. Common household cleaners, such as hand soap and dishwashing liquid, come in ‘antibacterial’ forms.

For the most part, while these products have been shown to work in laboratory tests, their effectiveness in the home has not yet been proven. Washing your hands with soap and water is still the best way to reduce the spread of germs.

In some situations, however, antimicrobial products can be useful. For example, a solution of diluted bleach (nine parts water to one part bleach) is recommended to clean up feces, vomit or blood. Alcohol-based solutions and gels can be used to wash hands if soap and water are not available.

If children put toys in their mouths or play with them when they are sick, clean the toys with water and soap and rinse well before another child uses them. Clean machine-washable plastic toys in the dishwasher and cloth toys in the washing machine. Toys that can’t go in the machine should be washed with soap and water or a diluted bleach solution.

Here are some tips to stop the spread of viruses and other germs in your home:

• Hand washing is the most important way to reduce the spread of colds and flu. Always wash your hands after:

- you cough, sneeze or use a tissue.
- being in direct contact with someone who has a cold or the flu.
- wiping your child’s nose and hands.
- touching objects handled by someone who has a virus.

• When water and soap are not available, use pre-moistened hand wipes or alcohol-based hand rinses. Keep hand rinses out of the reach of children because they may be harmful if swallowed.
• In general, a plain mild soap is fine.
• When someone in your home has diarrhea or is vomiting, wash your hands often. If floors, tables or other surfaces get dirty, use diluted chlorine bleach to clean them. It is best to wash soiled clothes right away.
• Vacuum and clean carpets regularly. Shake smaller rugs outdoors.
• Where young babies play, clean carpets at least once a month. Other areas should be cleaned at least every three months or whenever they get dirty.
• In the kitchen, handle food safely, wash your hands often and keep work areas clean:

- When preparing raw meats and poultry, keep them away from cooked food, fresh fruits and vegetables. Use separate cutting boards for raw meats and vegetables.
- Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after preparing food.
- Keep your kitchen clean. Use a mild solution of soap and water, or diluted bleach to clean your counters, cutting boards and utensils. You do not need to buy cutting boards or countertops treated with antimicrobial products.
- Surfaces that are damaged or scratched can be difficult to clean and should be replaced.

Dr. Denis Leduc is a general pediatrician in the Montreal area. He is the Past-President of the Canadian Pediatric Society.

For more information on your child’s growth and development, visit the Canadian Pediatric Society’s website at www.caringforkids.cps.ca or www.soinsdenosenfants.cps.ca.