Ask questions via twitter! Message any question to @answers on twitter. We'll publish the question and send you a reply each time there's a new answer.

Warning About Swine Flu Questions


 

Mahalo Answers is a great place to start your research into Swine Flu questions, but it's not the final answer.

Mahalo Answers is not a substitute for informed professional advice. If you desire or require professional advice, please consult a qualified provider who is licensed in your state or country. You should always seek independent professional advice before acting on any opinion, advice, or information available on Mahalo Answers.

 
 


Next Question

Answered Question

joyannj joyannj
 

Mahalo is adding a tip to all questions that don't offer a tip.
 M¢25  Funded By Mahalo ? |  October 29, 2009 11:27 AM

Is it safe to spray wrapped Halloween candy with Lysol?

I'm kind of grossed out about the idea of my kids going house to house and digging through bowls of candy (that 50 other kids touched before them.) Is it safe to disinfect candy wrappers with something like Lysol spray or Clorox wipes?? Also how long can germs live on something like that?
Interesting Question?  Yes (0)   No (0)   
RSS
 
 

Best Answer  Decided by Votes

jillbeth jillbeth
 
 October 29, 2009 11:51 AM
I can understand your feelings, considering the H1N1 scare going around, but kids have been digging through bowls of Halloween candy for generations and I doubt very few have been harmed by Halloween candy, except for the resulting tummy-aches when they eat too much.

Personally, I think our fear of germs and the trend toward over-sanitizing everything is a lost cause. Germs are everywhere and we can't protect our kids from all of them. That's what our immune systems are for. A child with a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition and adequate exercise) will have a strong immune system that will fight off most invaders.

Germs will live outside the body for a few seconds or up to 48 hours. Don't obsess about the Halloween candy. If you just can't help it, let the kids have a few pieces on Halloween night and then have them wash their hands, and put the rest up for a few days until the germs have died.
Source(s):
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infectious-disease/AN01238



Tags: viruses, h1n1, halloween, candy, germs

Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip jillbeth for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
fabliaux fabliaux
 
October 30, 2009 02:07 AM
I have to agree with Jillbeth. There are many studies that link the development of superbugs to our overuse of bacterial killing products. These products effectively kill the 99.9 or whatever percentage of bacteria, which then leaves the other .1%. These are the strongest bacteria that are now immune to ways of fighting them off. Our zeal to rid the world of microbes has only cause them to mutate beyond our ability to fight them.

That being said though, I think the H1N1 is serious business and has been making very healthy kids, with no previous immune problems or strong immune systems, very very sick.

I guess having an extra bag of candy around so you can wait the two days for any germs to die would be the best option. I don't know about spraying candy with a germicide. You really never know which candy might accidentally get some on the eating portion.

Report
 
 

Other Answers (2)

Sort By
unwirklich unwirklich
 
October 29, 2009 11:41 AM
Wow, I'm going to go with no.

However according to this website:

http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=brands&id=18001012

Quote:----------
"Ingestion: Ingestion is unlikely through the normal anticipated use of this product. Ingestion of small quantities is not expected to cause any significant adverse effects. Contains denatured ethanol; ingestion may result in ethanol poisoning."
End Quote----

Even that being said I don't think spraying an item your children will ingest with Lysol is wise or even necessary. If you really must sanitize your kids candy try an all natural sanitizer such as Burt's Bee Hand Sanitizer with Aloe and Witch Hazel. That way if some does make its way onto the actual candy you're safer than with Lysol at least.
Source(s):
http://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/hands-feet-hand-soaps/aloe-witch-...


Helpful Answer?  (0)   (0)    Tip unwirklich for this answer
Permalink | Report
   Reply  
 
 
melindam melindam
 
October 29, 2009 11:56 AM
To Wash or Not to Wash Halloween Candy? Dr. Shu said, "Some parents may want to wipe the candy wrapper down with a disinfectant such as Lysol or Clorox wipes. Once the disinfectant has dried or evaporated completely, it’s considered safe for children to handle." However, she added, "be very careful with candy packages that aren't tightly sealed because disinfectant could leak into the candy itself and then be potentially toxic or sickening."Or, air it out a bit longer for good measure.

Let Those Germs Die. Let Halloween candy “sit” for a few days before touching or eating it. Dr. Shu says, "two days is plenty of time for any contagions" like a H1N1 virus that happens to be on the candy wrapper to die.
http://healthfieldmedicare.suite101.com/article.cfm/docs_tips_on_halloween_candy_h1n1_swine_flu#ixzz0VKD1tVcn
Source(s):
http://healthfieldmedicare.suite101.com/article.cfm/docs_tips_on_halloween_...


Helpful Answer?  (2)   (0)   

Helpful: jobrielyn, roseflr

Tip melindam for this answer
Permalink | Report
Voted as best: twinpairs, tealmyster, pellrider
   Reply  
 
 

Answer this Question

How tips and payments work

This question has already been resolved. You may add an answer to it but you will not be eligible to win best answer or any associated tips.

Related Questions

No questions found.
View All Swine Flu Questions

Ask a Question


140 characters left
Top of Page
Buy Mahalo Dollars with Credit Card or PayPal

Top Members

This Week All Time
  • buddawiggi
    buddawiggi
    2nd Degree Black Belt
    27115 Points
    M$783.09 Earned
  • kty2777
    kty2777
    Purple Belt with a Brown Tip
    5444 Points
    M$199.92 Earned
  • opher
    opher
    Purple Belt
    4166 Points
    M$187.17 Earned
   See All
 

Most Popular Tags

mahalo(1594)
twitter(945)
iphone(462)
music(459)
google(355)
food(317)
internet(303)
online(294)
beer(279)
money(262)
movies(255)
facebook(253)
apple(251)
aotd(235)
answers(221)
health(217)
dog(205)
video(204)
free(202)
windows(195)
   See All
 

Categories

Welcome New Members


 
 
Mahalo Dollars are the currency of Mahalo Answers.

Each Mahalo Dollar costs $1.

Once you earn more than 40 Mahalo Dollars, you can request to be paid via PayPal. Each Mahalo Dollar is currently worth $0.75 when paid out via PayPal. Learn More

 
 

Please log in to use this function.

Answers Home | Ask a Question | Earn Points | How Tips Work | Widget