DANGEROUS things, tigers. As are dogs, leopards, pandas, teddies, policemen’s hats and pieces of Lego.
Nursing Standard (June 14) reports on the potentially nasty bugs lurking in children’s toys and finds that even the cuddliest, fluffiest plaything can harbour enough organisms to trigger germ warfare.
Researchers nabbed the toys of children who were in hospital, ran swabs over them and waited for signs of bacterial growth. Analysis then showed the presence of lots of things with long Latin names that should not come within a mile of sick kids.
The researchers conclude that although many of the micro-organisms found on toys are “of low pathogenicity”, they could cause infection in vulnerable patients.
So, kids, keep your toys clean. Or Tigger gets it.