On Tuesdays, I share my thoughts on Family Life. Today's guest column by blogger Katie Kimball contains very interesting information that may help you discern health decisions during this hectic back to school season. Visit Katie at her blog at Kitchen Stewardship.
Even though I won’t be going back to school this year (I’m a teacher
in my former life, but I haven’t been since the year prior to last
school year)
, I’m ready to help you think through your kids’ back-to-school shopping list when it comes to soaps and sanitizers.
Hand Sanitizer: Safe for Schools?
Is hand sanitizer or antibacterial handsoap on your child’s back-to-school list?
I know a lot of schools, especially parochial ones, are asking parents to bring basic supplies like paper towel, tissue, and soap these days to cut costs. I also know a lot of schools use alcohol-based hand sanitizer like it’s…well…water. It’s not water, folks.
I would encourage you to read my post about the pros and cons of hand sanitizer before you go shopping. You may want to try Cleanwell’s tea tree oil-based sanitizer instead.
Should You Buy Anti-Bacterial Soaps?
An even more important topic, in my mind, is the overuse of antibacterial soaps. They are not needed, not ever, unless you’re sick in the hospital. Lots of kids get sick at school, I realize that. But isn’t the fact that lots of kids get sick at school, in spite of the rampant use of sanitizers and antibac products, proof enough that the antibacterial soaps aren’t going to protect you? They are most likely doing more harm than good, in fact. I encourage you to read Antibacterial Soap: How it Works and Why you Should Avoid Triclosan to arm yourself with information, life’s greatest weapon.
What Can We do About It?
You may find yourself wanting to write your child’s teacher or principal a note about antibacterial soap and why you don’t think it’s necessary in their classrooms. You may even get your undies in a bunch about this country’s marketing strategies, companies that sell us things we don’t need while tricking us into thinking we’re protecting our kiddos’ health…all the while creating products that actually harm our kids and our earth. Grrr…
Here is a form letter to Bath and Body Works, my least favorite store, asking them to reconsider their seeming undying commitment to antibacterials and triclosan. You can cut and paste the informative part and draft a quick letter to your child’s school, too.
For now, don’t let yourself be tricked by back-to-school sales on alcohol-based hand sanitizer and antibacterial soap. Be sure to temper your frugality with your common sense, and do your research before committing to a 64 oz. bottle of something!
Copyright 2009 Katie Kimball
About Katie Kimball - Katie blogs at Kitchen Stewardship , where she offers weekly Monday Missions to help people balance God's calls to stewardship of our time, money, environment and family nutrition through the eyes of faith. Find practical tips, challenging facts and healthy recipes there. Katie is a Michigander mom with an inquisitive preschooler and a busy one-year-old, a former teacher who now spends her time immersed in her kitchen and her kids while striving to make time for an active prayer life.
Home-work for today:
- Prior to rushing out to buy every item on your child's "back to school" supply list, spend some time reviewing your supplies for gently used items that might be recycled, including notebooks, binders, water colors, colored pencils, and other less frequently used items.
Reading Room Resources:
The Best of the Blogs from this week on the topic of Family Life
- Getting Organized for School - Start the Night Before
- Take a Risk and Unclutter
- FHP Plans a "No Plans Month" in October
On the Bookshelf:
You Can't Go To School Naked!
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