Sandpits

sandpit; sand; toxoplasmosis; safety; play; clean; pit; cleaning ;

Contents

• Sandpit problems
• Keeping sandpits clean

Sandpits provide many hours of fun for children and allow for lots of different types of play, but unclean sandpits can cause infections in children. With a small amount of care they can be kept clean and safe for children to play in.

Sandpit problems

• Sandpits can become unclean when animals, particularly cats, and children use them as toilets.
• Toxoplasmosis can be spread from cats to humans through dirty sandpits.
  • Toxoplasmosis can harm an unborn child, but is usually a mild illness in children and adults. It causes a rash, swollen glands, fever and feeling unwell.
  • For more information have a look at the topic 'Toxoplasmosis'.
• Insects can live in damp sand and may bite or sting children.

Keeping sandpits clean

• Make sure the sandpit is well drained when it is built, so that it stays as dry as possible.
• Cover the sandpit when not in use, eg with fine chicken wire, so that cats will not use it as a toilet. Plastic covers, which do not let air through, can keep the sandpit damp, and are not such a good idea. If you use fine wire rain will tend to wash the sand, helping to keep it clean so long as the water can drain away.
• Rake the sandpit regularly, to remove rubbish and to stir up the sand so it gets aired (fresh air is a good disinfectant).
• Remove any dirt and rubbish you can see.
• Wash the sand with tap water if it is not regularly washed by the rain.
• Disinfecting sand pits is only needed when they are obviously dirty. Disinfect the sand when you need to (eg if a child does a poo in the sandpit). Use a mild detergent or household disinfectant diluted in water in a watering can. Follow the instructions for washing floors and surfaces that are on the container.

Note: keeping the sandpit clean and dry is more important than regular disinfecting.

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).

This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.