Human Interest News feature by Winnie Bosibori

Are hand sanitizers safe?

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With recent concerns over cold and flu viruses, many people have turned to hand sanitizers to safeguard their homes and offices. The question is, do they really work and how safe are they?

The first point that must be noted in regards to sanitizers is that they were never intended as a complete replacement for washing. If a person’s hands are filthy, hand sanitizer alone cannot penetrate all the dirt and grease required to properly clean.

It is also important to know that hand sanitizers should not be used on open wounds. Moreover, it doesn’t take much imagination to see the potential hazard in storing flammable alcohol-based products in hot cars or around other heat sources.

Despite safety concerns, when used with proper precaution, hand sanitizers can be an effective tool for preventing the spreading of viruses. Although there is no guarantee that sanitizers will be effective against every type of germ, on the whole, they provide one of the best defenses against cold and flu viruses.