Hospitals have been using a UV light for years to kill drug-resistant superbugs and to disinfect surgical rooms and equipment. Recently, the outbreak of coronavirus has pushed the use of UV light to places like schools, office buildings, restaurants, hotels, buses, churches and many other public establishments to reduce the risk of virus transmission. One of the most popular and versatile UV sterilizing products is the UV sanitizing wand. It uses UV-C light, one of the strongest rays produced naturally by the sun, to kill germs. Studies have shown that this UV-C sanitizing wand has been used to destroy various disease-causing pathogens effectively.
We’ve started using face masks and hand sanitizers, and have accepted it as our new normal. But are they enough? Hand sanitizers protect our hands and face masks, our face, but what about items like our phones? A study conducted by the University of Arizona showed that a cellphone carried ten times more bacteria than most toilet seats. So then, how do we ensure that the items we use frequently are adequately sanitized? Especially for our kids? Many companies are presenting the revolutionary UV-C light-based products as the go-to solution to sanitize surfaces and objects that our children often come in contact with.
UV-C sanitizing wand is an excellent child-friendly investment. Apart from the pandemic-related panic, this product is extremely useful for eliminating harmful bacteria or viruses that your child can be introduced. An infant who is learning how to crawl is likely to be undergoing his/her oral fixation stage. At this age, children are prone to putting things they find on the ground in their mouths without much thought. If you have bought a new toy for your baby, it is definitely rolling around the floor with your baby and will be licked or chewed. In this instance, the UV-C sanitizing wand is a perfect solution for quickly disinfecting your child’s toys and other baby products (bottles, changing table etc). It is compact, portable, and extremely effective, so you can use it in the house for regular sterilization, as well as bring it with you for quick sanitization when you head out. It can play a significant role in saving your children from getting infected by any lingering germs on the objects they encounter in the early stages of their lives.
Furthermore, one of the best features of a UV-C sanitizing wand is that it is odorless. This means your children will not go the extra mile to explore an unusual scent, as children at that age typically do. It does not have any chemicals that may harm the child if they immediately come in contact with whatever toy, surface, or object you have disinfected using UV-C light. Children love tasting everything, especially when they are at an age when they are growing teeth and are experienced irritation in their gums. This chemical-free UV–C Sanitizing wand is the best way to clean your children’s toys, sippy cups, food tables, or lunch boxes without worrying about germs or cleaning the residual chemical left behind by disinfectants.
This is why these wands are a prudent investment, especially for families with children. There will be no need to hold back crying babies who are impatient to play but are held back because you need time for the playmat or toys to dry. Right after you’re done using the wand, they are free to play to their heart's content.
Although UV sanitizing wands are amazing at destroying viruses and bacteria, safety procedure must be followed while using them. UVC light breaks apart the DNA and RNA structures (genetic materials within the cells) to stop the bacteria from replicating, also rendering them inactive. Direct exposure to UVC light can be harmful to us, our kids, pets or living plants. Therefore, UV wands cannot be used on our skin, they cannot replace hand sanitizer and soap. It is advised to keep UV sanitizing wands away from children. For older kids, they may only use these wands under strict supervision of their parents or guardians. The wand should not, at any cost, come into an infact or toddler’s grasp. UV wands that use traditional tube lightbulb contain mercury and are extremely fragile. Shaking or dropping them could cause serious hazard. That’s why LED UV wands are recommended for a long term solution, because LED bulbs last much longer and do not pose health or environmental hazards.
Just like traditional chemical sprays, this latest invention comes with pros and cons. If used correctly, the UV sanitizing wand definitely adds great value to our lives. Before the pandemic, hospitals were already using industrial grade UV machines to sterilize their rooms and equipment, so UV devices are not just useful while the pandemic lasts. They can protect us during flu seasons as well.