How to Protect Children from Contaminated Sand?

Sandpits are a synonymous with a childcare centre and they play a vital role in child development. But without a set schedule for cleaning and sanitising the sand, they can also be a very dangerous place for children to play.

It’s important to understand that sand is easily contaminated and close contact with contaminated sand can have terrible consequences. 

Sandpits have been implicated in salmonella outbreaks, particularly those caused by the Salmonella enterica Paratyphi B variant Java. An outbreak in 2007-2009 was caused by play sand contaminated by wildlife droppings.

 

Contaminated Sand – What do You do?

Sand can become contaminated with animal or human faeces, blood, or other body fluids. It is likely that you will face these circumstances at some stage. If so, here is how to deal with it:

• Addressed it immediately.
• Clear the sandpit of children and toys.
• Put toys aside to be cleaned and sanitised separately (if needed).
• Remove the contaminated sand using a shovel and dispose of the sand in a plastic bag or alternative. The remaining sand should be raked over at intervals during the day and left exposed to the sun.
• Replace the removed sand with fresh sand and rake into existing sand.

In the event of significant contamination/large spill - remove all the sand from the sandpit and replace it with new.

 

Periodic Cleaning & Sanitising Play Sand

Play sand should be cleaned and sanitised periodically. How often depends on the specific circumstances but at least once a term should be the starting point. There are 3 options, but regardless of the options the sand should first be raked and if necessary, use a kitchen sieve to remove any foreign objects.

Option 1. Wash and Heat

Please note that this option is time consuming and labour intensive.

• Remove sand and wash repeatedly in buckets with clean water until all floating material and dirt is removed and water is clear.
• Then empty bucket onto trays and place in oven on high heat to dry and sanitise the sand. 

Option 2. Sodium Hypochlorite

Prepare a solution of diluted sodium hypochlorite.

• 400 grams to 20 litres of water will treat 8 cubic metres of sand.
• Prepare using plastic utensils and apply using a plastic watering can and rinse these well immediately after use.
• Simply water the sand with this solution and allow to dry in the sun and then rake the sand well to aerate.
• Do not use metal bucket/watering can or utensils.
• As with all chemical products – these must be stored in a safe place and out of reach to children.

Option 3. Play Sand Sanitiser

A number of companies now produce sanitiser developed specifically for play sand and it is important to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

• These are bottled chemicals to be mixed with water and then sprayed over the sand.
  After spraying, the sand should be left to dry in the sun before being raked for aeration.
• As with all chemical products – these must be stored in a safe place and out of reach to children.