The corona situation has receded somewhat into the background with the war in Ukraine. But the virus is still there and the number of corona infections is likely to rise again with the falling temperatures. Also in schools and day-care centers, where in many federal states there are hardly any corona measures. Protecting the vulnerable group of daycare children and elementary school students is one of many challenges that politics and society have to face with a view to winter. A correctly worn mouth and nose cover, as numerous studies have shown, is one of the most important measures, alongside vaccination, to protect yourself and others from infection or at least to minimize the risk of infection. This applies equally to adults and children. But while FFP masks for adults are plentiful and available almost everywhere, the choice for small faces is rather limited.
Putting a normal-sized FFP2 mask on daycare children and abc shooters not only looks silly. It is uncomfortable and does not protect either the child or those around him. But what do you have to pay attention to if the junior is to be equipped with an FFP2 mask instead of a surgical mask in the future? First of all, you should pay attention to the so-called CE mark, because only these products are also approved in the European Union. “The masks must regularly meet the requirements of the DIN EN 149:2009-08 standard,” says the website of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.
You can usually tell whether the masks are specially tailored to small faces by the instructions on the packaging. Look for something like “Comfort S”, “Size Small”, “Mini” or “Mini XS”. According to a current test of FFP2 masks (December 2021) for children, Stiftung Warentest also recommends a mask from 3M, which was actually developed for adults. Compared to others, the 3M Aura 9320 model also offers breathing comfort for children that is okay, according to the testers. In addition, the filter effect is high and the fit is suitable for children. For continuous use in school, however, the Stiftung Warentest recommends the somewhat more comfortable surgical masks. In places where there is an increased risk of infection in a short period of time, such as on public transport, the 3M model fulfills its purpose, according to Stiftung Warentest.
Instead of the mask in standard white, some manufacturers rely on patterns and child-friendly designs for mouth and nose protection for children. Some at least offer their FFP2 masks in alternative colors. Of course, the CE marking is also mandatory here. The two main differences between the masks for adults and those for children are the size of the filter and the length of the elastics. In size S, the mini masks are also recommended for men and women with small faces.
Source: Stiftung Warentest
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