Playing in the sandbox can be a good sensory experience and even help kids develop motor and social skills. If the sand gets wet, let it dry out thoroughly before covering it to prevent bacteria growth Rake the sand regularly to remove debris, clumps and any material that shouldn't be there
If you have a sandbox, keep it covered when it's not in use to keep out insects and animals Make sure kids wash their hands thoroughly before and after playing in the sand While it sounds rather frightening, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends ways to help keep kids safe so you don't have to spoil their fun. There are also parasites like Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause flu-like symptoms, and let's not forget pinworms and roundworms. difficile), a bacteria that can cause mild diarrhea to more severe inflammation and may be difficult to treat.
Researchers have found various strains of Clostridium difficile ( C. There have been studies that looked at what else is in those boxes beyond the sand. The difference is that the sandboxes don't have chlorine or other agents to help kill off some of the germs. That includes bacteria, parasites and other infectious germs carried by kids and, depending on the location of the sand, animals. This fun-in-the-sun toy encourages new ways to play outdoors and develops active and constructive play Keep your child busy for hours at the beach making fun. Best Selling Step2 Crabbie Sandbox Kids Plastic Outdoor Sandbox with Cover (20) Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox (632884E3) (8) Little Tikes Turtle Sandbox. Image: Getty Images/Design: Terese Condella/SheKnowsĪ version of this article was originally published in July 2012.Like swimming pools - which we enter with a certain amount of forcing ourselves not to think about what's really in that water - the shared sand space contains the residue of all who have entered it. Just remember to keep your sandbox covered when your kids aren’t at play cats and other outdoor critters may see this play space as a litter box (and expose your children to toxoplasmosis, a parasite contained in cat feces).īy taking a few precautionary steps, you can focus less on the hidden dangers and more on how you’re going to get your kids to stop throwing sand at each other. Rubber mulch made from recycled tire chipsĭespite the truth about sandbox sand, if you can’t afford to replace the play sand you already have with silica-free sandbox sand right away, it can still be made safer by keeping materials damp and minimizing dust. Like us on Facebook PROTIP: Press the and keys to navigate the gallery, g to view the gallery, or r to view a random video.That said, dangerous sandbox sand and silica-free sand are not the only options for your child’s sandbox. When using safe sandbox alternatives to traditional play sand outdoors, be mindful of materials that are designed to absorb moisture, as they will eventually mildew and need replacing. “Silica-free sand contains no known hazardous substances,” making it a safe sandbox option for your child to dive in and get dirty with. “A safe sandbox is all about sand not containing health hazards, such as microcrystalline silica,” explains Cicone. The most important - and easiest - way to shield your little ones from toxic sandbox sand is to opt for safe sandbox sand or other play sand alternatives. More: Surefire Ways to Lose a Good Babysitter Discover safe sandbox sand The Environmental Protection Agency warns that exposure to silica is bad news regardless of the source. Exposure to these compounds may also be related to the development of chronic renal disease, development of autoimmune disorders and also have other bad health outcomes. When these tiny particles of silica lurking in sandbox sand enter your kid’s lungs, it can cause serious illness.Īccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breathing in the tiny carcinogen can lead to silicosis, an irreversible disease, as well as lung cancer, airway diseases and pulmonary tuberculosis. Unfortunately, “as children play, sand becomes airborne and inhaled,” explains Nick Cicone of Kid Safe Sand. Recognize the health hazardsĪs any parent can attest, sandbox sand is dusty and dirty. Commonly, playground sand is made from quartz rock, which is why many of these bags o’ fun are slapped with a California Proposition 65 label warning of the health hazard contained within. When purchasing a bag of sandbox sand, you may just be exposing your kid to toxic ingredients, namely microcrystalline silica. More: The Best Indie Baby Beauty Brands Uncover the ingredients in sandbox sand It’s hard to imagine this simple form of entertainment could be hazardous to a child’s health - but the truth of the matter is, if they’re playing in store-bought sand, they might be exposed to some serious risks.