Festival season is upon us – and while music lovers may be left soggy from the occasional downpour of rain, they are less likely to get their hands wet from properly washing them.
A poll of 1,500 adults, aged 18-24, revealed that, during a three- to four-day festival, 26% will wash their hands just once a day, if at all.
And 22% admit they don't wash their hands at all at a festival – with one in ten of the opinion that: “It's a festival, I don't need to”.
Other top reasons given for swerving the soap and water include a lack of washing facilities (44%), and simply not being bothered to wait in a queue to clean up (28%).
More than three in ten festival-goers (31%) don't even wash their hands after going to the toilet, while 53% confess to not doing so before eating.
However, half of those polled (49%) are completely oblivious to just how much bacteria is floating around at festivals – with toilet door handles, shared water bottles or condiment bottles, and wrist bands among the hotspots for such germs.
Some of the top bacteria that Brits are – perhaps literally – rubbing shoulders with include Staphylococcus, E. coli, and even pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can lead to serious illnesses such as pneumonia and sepsis.
The research was commissioned by cleaning brand, method, in order to highlight the importance of good hand hygiene, and make sure that sickness doesn't get in the way of a good time – particularly at festivals.
To mark the launch of its new anti-bacterial hand soap, method has partnered with microbiologist, Dr Joe Latimer, who said: “As method’s research highlights, half of us are unaware of the types of bacteria which we might be coming into contact with at festivals.
“That’s not surprising, since in most cases, we can’t see, smell, taste, hear, or feel bacteria.
“The biggest vehicle for bacterial infection at festivals is right at our fingertips – literally. Your hands touch all sorts of objects at a festival, then they also touch your face, your mouth, and other sensitive parts of the body, through which microbes might be able to get in.
“The most effective way to target our festival hygiene, and to make sure we mingle only with the microbes we love, is by washing our hands regularly.
“We don’t have to be super-sterile, but dare to venture to the toilet block? Wash your hands. About to sample the wonderful food on offer? Wash your hands. About to get creative with the festival makeup and glitter? Wash your hands.
“And that’s it – go wild, have fun, be daft, and enjoy hanging out with your friends. See you at the main stage!”
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A method spokesman added: “Festival season is the biggest calendar moment for all-out summer fun. However, a lack of hygiene facilities means that some unfavourable bacterias thrive amongst music-loving Brits.
“We’ve made anti-bac, anti-boring, and are putting a spotlight on hand hygiene at festivals this summer to help fest-goers spread joy, not germs – ensuring they don’t get in the way of a good time.
“New to our anti-bac range is the anti-bac hand soap that not only smells amazing, but is ideal for getting rid of unwanted bacterias, wherever you are.”
method’s new anti-bac hand soap, which kills 99.9%* of bacteria and enveloped viruses, could help more than half (54%) of fest-goers who return home unwell – and not due to over-consumption of alcohol!
The most common avoidable ailments include headaches (45%), sore throats or coughs and colds (39%), and upset stomachs (34%).
method’s scent-sational new range will leave your hands squeaky clean and smelling supreme, and is available to buy now from major retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Amazon.
THE MOST COMMON PLACES FOR GERMS TO SPREAD AT FESTIVALS, ACCORDING TO DR JOE LATIMER:
- Toilet door handles and locks
- Sharing water bottles
- Applying makeup or festival glitter
- Condiment bottles
- Wristbands
- Under nails
- Other people
- Soil
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