Beat the back to school bugs

07:59 09 September 2011

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Experts agree that play is an essential part of children's development, but with every hop, swing and monkey bar, children's hands can pick up an array of dirt, germs and bacteria.

A recent survey by antibacterial hand hygiene brand Cuticura, revealed that half of parents are not aware of the types of germs their children could pick up in the playground.

With the possibility of bacteria from bird and dog faeces, rat urine and even E. coli being found in the playground, maintaining good hand hygiene is more important than ever.

But don't panic. ThereÂ’s no need to wrap your kids in cotton wool at the start of the new school term. Simply clean their hands with Cuticura when they leave the school gate and after playtime - a fast, effective, hygienic alternative when you can't get to soap and water - so children don't take any unwanted germs home.

Dr Amanda Gummer, psychologist and play expert, states that as well as driving imagination and creativity, active play encourages good health, heightened concentration and enhanced social development:

"Play is a natural part of children's lives and helps them to grow and develop the skills they need for later life.

"Not giving children time to grow and play could lead to a generation of sedentary children, lacking in creativity and imagination.

Making good hand hygiene easier for parents and children on the go, Cuticura is a non-sticky range of antibacterial hand hygiene gels, wipes and foamers that dry in seconds and are proven to kill over 99.99% of bacteria fast.

Cuticura is available from Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, SainsburyÂ’s, MorrisonÂ’s, Waitrose, Asda and selected independent pharmacies. Prices start from 99p.