Are Vacuum Thermoses Safe to Use for Kids?
Vacuum flasks have changed the way we used to carry around our cold as well as hot drinks. They are safer, more convenient, and keep your drink hot/cold for a very long time. Many parents worldwide use thermoses to pack their children’s lunches or give their children warm or cold drinks. But often, parents also end up asking questions about whether thermoses are the best option to use for their children, and the answer to that is yes and no. There a few things that you must ensure before you put your child’s lunch or drink in the thermos. If it is safe for your use, then it is also safe to be used for your kid, but how do you ensure that?
Here are a few things you can check before you buy your next thermos:
The Quality of the Material
It is important to ensure that the vacuum thermos is made of the best quality and the inner lining can take high temperatures. If you have a low-quality thermos, there are chances that over time it will start to erode from the inside, which will be a health hazard for your child. The inner lining should be made of high-quality glass so that the heat remains inside while also the content inside has no contact with the metal. Often the glass inside breaks when anything super-hot or cold is poured; this is an indicator of low quality.
The Manufacturer
Another very important factor to consider when buying vacuum thermos and ensuring that it is safe for your child’s use is that a good company manufactures it. This will ensure that sound material is used during manufacturing and that it is well tested as well. You don’t want to end up causing more damage to your child’s health than any good. A lot of manufacturers around the world also publish the materials on the website that are used in manufacturing. Along with that, you can also do some research on your own. Environmentally aware companies will also go ahead and make a lot of eco-friendly claims, but they are not mostly 100% true. Just make sure that you research a little to know that the product you are buying is free from any toxic material that can be harmful in any way.
BPA Free
This is a term you will hear a lot if you go out to shop for bottles, thermoses, or flasks, and remember this is something that you are looking out for as well. You want to buy thermoses and bottles that are BPA free because these may be harmful to you and also for the environment. BPA stands for bisphenol A and is found in plastics and raisins. It is commonly used in water bottle caps, food containers, flask caps, etc. Much harm is associated with BPA that include behavioral issues in children and a lot of other diseases in children and adults.
Instructions
A lot of thermoses also come with their own set of instructions on how best to use them. Many manufacturers recommend preheating or pre-cooling the thermos before pouring in your drink or putting in the food. This will ensure that your food maintains its temperature for a longer time. At the same time, some other brands recommend including some liquid. The liquid will help maintain the temperature; otherwise, it will be difficult to maintain the thermos’ temperature. It is important to understand what the manufacturer expects from you as a customer and what is manageable for you in the future. If you have a busy lifestyle, you might probably not have the time to pre-heat or pre-cool your thermos. That is why to go through the instructions before making the purchase.
Some traits to look for, especially if you are looking to buy thermos for your kids, are:
- Leak-proof and drip-proof
- 100% hygienic
- 100% safe
- BPA-free
- Non-breakable since children will be handling it
Many thermoses come with a complete set, which includes a holding bag as well that makes it easier for your child to carry it. Thermoses have somehow made life very easy for parents. They no longer have to worry about providing warm drinks or soups for their children. But the safety of your child will always come first. Most of the available brands in the market are all manufacturing under approved procedures, but it is always recommended to go through the material used before buying.