Parents recommended to clean mobile phones that may become infected with harmful bacteria
Your mobile phone could be covered in nasty germs and infectious bacteria, warn scientists, who claim Brits aren't washing their hands enough.
We all teach our children the importance of washing their hands with hot water and soap, but it seems that too many of us are not continuing this good behaviour as adults. Scientists have warned that there's a rise of potentially harmful bacteria found on the mobile phones of adults. Over 90% of handsets were found to be contaminated with bacteria, including E.coli and MRSA. Tests carried out by scientists at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine looked at the mobile phones of 390 people in 12 cities around the UK. E.coli is highly contagious, can survive on hands and surfaces for hours and is easily transferred by touch. As the bacteria originates in faeces, experts have stressed just how important it is that everyone washes their hands properly after going to the toilet. It's particularly important for mums and dads with young children, as the bacteria can cause upset stomachs and is even more dangerous for little ones. And with babies and toddlers increasingly playing with "todder apps" and phones put into safe mode, parents should be wary about how clean their mobiles are.
"This study provides more evidence that some people still don't wash their hands properly. I hope the thought of having E.coli on their hands and phones encourages them to take more care in the bathroom - washing your hands with soap is such a simple thing to do but there is no doubt it saves lives," said Dr. Val Curtis of the London School, reports the Daily Mail. Hand-washing is a key hygiene rule for everyone, not only to ward off E.coli, but also to minimise your chances of catching a common cough or cold virus. Read our guides to coughs in pregnancy, colds in pregnancy, your baby's coughs and your baby's colds for advice on how to feel better, what medicine to take and what to avoid. Want to know more parenting news? Read these...
