Slime can be OK for kids, but it's important to use it with caution and limit playtime due to potential risks associated with ingredients like Borax.
While slime offers fun sensory play, ingredients like Borax, commonly used as an activator, can pose a risk, particularly with extended exposure.
Potential Risks and Precautions
According to information from HealthPartners, Borax is known to irritate skin. While this irritation is often mild, severe burns from Borax are possible. These more serious reactions typically occur due to repeated and prolonged contact with the substance, similar to other chemical burns.
This highlights the importance of mindful usage rather than outright banning slime.
How to Use Slime Safely
To ensure slime is as safe as possible for children, consider these points based on potential risks:
- Limit Playtime: As advised, restrict the amount of time kids spend playing with slime in a single session. This reduces the duration of potential skin contact with ingredients like Borax.
- Supervise Use: Ensure children are not ingesting slime ingredients or rubbing them into sensitive areas like the eyes.
- Handwashing: Always encourage kids to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after playing with slime.
- Check for Irritation: Monitor skin for any signs of redness, itching, or irritation during or after play. If irritation occurs, discontinue use and wash the affected area. Seek medical advice for severe reactions.
- Consider Ingredients: Be aware of the ingredients in homemade or store-bought slime. Some recipes or products may use activators other than Borax.
By understanding the potential for skin irritation or burns, particularly with prolonged contact, parents can take simple steps to make slime playtime safer for their children.
