Nowadays, children like sandbox games more and more. However, playing in the sandbox frequently will produce viruses and bacteria, which will affect children's health. Cleaning the sandbox is essential for children's health, safety and play experience. Cleaning the sandbox requires regular maintenance to ensure hygiene and safety, and avoid bacterial growth or accumulation of debris. The following are steps on how to clean the sandbox.
Importance of clean sandbox sand
Reduce bacteria and parasites
Children's play sand is exposed to outdoor or indoor environments for a long time, which is easy to be contaminated by sputum, animal feces and other pollutants in the sand pit, which may breed pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and roundworm eggs. Regular cleaning and disinfection can reduce the risk of children developing gastrointestinal diseases, skin infections or parasitic diseases due to contact with contaminated sand. Wet sand is prone to mold growth and may cause respiratory allergies in children. Removing wet sand blocks and keeping the sand surface dry during cleaning can reduce such risks.
Avoid accidental injuries
Our children's play sand pits may contain sharp objects such as glass fragments, nails, and pebbles, which may scratch their hands and feet or accidentally ingest them when playing. Regular screening of sand can timely detect and remove such hidden dangers. During the cleaning process, we check whether the sand pit frame and wooden structure are loose or cracked. Timely repair can prevent children from being pinched or tripped.
Cultivate children's hygienic habits
We need to regularly replace some old sand and sift out fine dust to keep the sand loose and clean, so that children can build sand castles more easily. When parents or caregivers clean the sand pit, Sand Box Kids can guide children to observe the cleaning process and educate them to wash their hands after playing, so as to establish environmental protection and health awareness from an early age.
Reduce maintenance costs
Timely cleaning of weeds and stagnant water around the sand pit can prevent plant roots from damaging the waterproof layer or wooden frame at the bottom of the sand pit, and extend the overall service life of the sand pit. If it is not cleaned for a long time, it may need to be completely renovated when the sand is seriously polluted, which will increase additional expenses.
Create a clean environment
If public sand pits such as kindergartens and parks are not cleaned, they may become community sanitation blind spots, affect the overall environmental beauty, and even cause public health problems. Regular maintenance is the responsibility of the management and also reflects the importance of public health.
How to keep a sandbox clean
Clean the sand pit
We first use a rake or shovel to remove large particles of debris such as leaves, branches, paper scraps, animal feces, etc. on the surface of the sand pit. If there are any food residues, they need to be cleaned thoroughly. Rake the sand flat with a rake to destroy any wet areas that may have formed to prevent bacterial growth. Check if there is sand accumulation on the edge of the sand pit and push it back into the pit in time.
Disinfection
We need to wipe the toys, shovels, buckets and other tools in the sand pit with a diluted mild disinfectant to avoid cross contamination. If the sand pit is movable or the sand can be taken out, spread the sand on a clean ground and expose it to the sun for 2-3 days. Mix white vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:10, put it into a spray bottle and spray it evenly on the sand surface. It is suitable for children to contact the environment. Or we can buy a child-safe sand pit disinfectant and dilute it according to the instructions and spray it, paying attention to avoid metal parts to prevent corrosion.
Handle wet areas
If there is water accumulation or wet lumps at the bottom of the sand pit, you need to use a shovel to dig out the wet sand, replace it with new sand or dry it thoroughly before pouring it back. Check whether the sand pit is draining smoothly to avoid water accumulation after rain. After long-term use, the sand will become finer due to friction or mixed with dust that cannot be cleaned. It is recommended to replace 10%-20% of the old sand and add new sand every month. The cycle of replacing all the sand is recommended not to exceed 1 year. The specific frequency depends on the frequency of use and the environment.
Check the safety of the sand pit
We need to check whether the wooden boards and plastic frames on the edge of the sand pit are loose or cracked, and whether the screws are falling off. Repair or replace them in time to avoid children getting hurt. It is necessary to clean the weeds around the sand pit and reduce insects. Cover the sand pit with mosquito nets or breathable waterproof cloth to prevent animals such as cats and dogs from entering and excreting.If animal feces are found, they must be immediately removed with a shovel, and the sand in the area must be disinfected or replaced.
Precautions
We should prohibit the use of bleaching powder and alcohol-based strong irritant disinfectants to avoid residual damage to children's skin or allergies. Humid environments are prone to mold growth. It is recommended to lay moisture-proof cloth at the bottom of the sand pit, or choose a well-ventilated location to set up the sand pit.
Children should be reminded to wash their hands after playing in the sand and avoid rubbing their eyes or sucking their hands. Eating and drinking in the sandpit is prohibited to reduce the risk of contamination. After heavy rain, strong winds and other weather conditions, the sandpit should be thoroughly cleaned of debris and disinfected again.
Cleaning the sandbox is not only for cleanliness, but also an investment in children's health, safety and growth. Through a scientific cleaning process, the sandbox can become a safe playground for children to explore nature and stimulate creativity. If you have any questions about the above, please feel free to contact us and we will answer your questions at any time.
