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The Role of Technology in Maintaining Social Connections for People with Disabilities in a Post-Lockdown World

As heavily as COVID impacted the entire world, people with disabilities faced specific challenges during and beyond lockdown owing to three overriding factors: the increased risk of poor outcomes from this disease, reduced access to routine health care and rehabilitation, and the negative social impact caused by efforts to reduce contagion. Although lockdown is a thing of the past, the social effects of the pandemic are far from over. As reported by the BBC, COVID has resulted in the rise of remote work, with many companies resorting to a “hybrid” work model that has actually proven to be a great leveller in terms of equality, diversity, and inclusion. However, telecommuting also has its downside—­greater isolation ad fewer opportunities for in-person interaction. How is technology working to bridge the divide and unite disabled people with their colleagues, friends, and family in the age of the “new normal?”

January 2024 Blog

Entering Virtual and Real Worlds

Mixed reality headsets are one of the buzzwords in the tech sector. Anyone who enjoys gaming, working on a large  “monitor” or interacting with others via video conference call is keen to get their hands on Apple’s new Vision Pro  mixed reality headset. You simply put this headset on and start “working” on an enormous virtual screen whose size you can manipulate (imagine enjoying an online game with others on a virtual screen that is as large as your wall). You don’t need a mouse; you simply swipe and click items on the screen with your fingers. You can use all your usual apps, look at photos and video recordings, or work as you would on a typical monitor. You can also use the headset to make spatial FaceTime calls with scanned avatars that use AI to mimic the appearance and body language of the person wearing the headset. You can see all your contacts in “larger-than-life” size as they talk, and share documents and information as you normally would when working with a normal computer. It’s easy to see how this technology can help disabled people feel much more connected to their colleagues and friends, until they can see them in person, of course!

Reinventing the Wheelchair

A person’s ability to move from one area to another play a crucial role in encouraging social interaction. Innovative wheelchair technology is improving mobility, safety, and accessibility, making it easier for wheelchair users to attend social events. Accessibility legislation has done plenty to boost accessible housing and rental policies. For instance, the law in most countries deems it necessary for landlords to accommodate disabled tenants via wheelchair access ramps, the installation of railings, adapted shouting and bathing facilities, and similar. However, it also helps for wheelchairs themselves to contain cutting-edge technologies that make movement easier. Currently, a few innovations that are making it easier to get around include self-driving, smart wheelchairs with sensors that use ultrasonics, radars, and cameras to perform tasks like slowing chairs down to prevent accidents.

Glasses That Speak

XRAI Glass is an innovative pair of glasses that allows deaf people to read real-time captions when talking to others. Instead of relying on lip-reading, deaf people can see that the other person is saying through the lenses. The glasses go a step further—they can even translate languages, vocal tones, accents, and pitches. They make an ideal tool for social interaction, work, education, and events. They come with a Bluetooth mic, which means that they can “see” conversations from a distance. Jodie Ounsley, a professional rugby player, has tried the glasses and stated that although she embraces her deafness with positivity, her disability “is a really isolating place at times. You miss out on a lot, and it’s a mental journey trying to lip-read.” She has stated that the glasses makes social interaction considerably easier. The smart glasses work with the XRAI app, which turns speech into subtitles in real time. 

Although lockdown has long been over, the effects of COVID have continued into current times. Many disabled people are pleased to be working from home owing to the ease of this new arrangement, but remote work can be isolating. Technological innovations are constantly bridging the divide between remote and in-person work modes. Apple’s Vision Pro, smart wheelchairs, and XRAI Glass are just three of many technologies that are uniting disabled people with other people with and without disabilities. 

Posted in Assisted Living, Internet and tagged daily living aid, tech, disability support on .

Celebrating Disability Pride Month: Embracing Diversity, Empowering Lives

Disability Pride Month is an important time of the year dedicated to honouring the strength, resilience, and accomplishments of individuals with disabilities. It serves as a platform for raising awareness, promoting inclusivity, and fostering a sense of pride within the disability community. In this blog, we will delve into the significance of Disability Pride Month, explore the revised meaning behind each colour of the flag, discuss the importance of the grey background, and shed light on the origins of this empowering celebration.

The Colours of the Disability Pride Flag: The Disability Pride Flag consists of vibrant colours, each representing a meaningful aspect of the disability community. Let's explore the revised interpretation of the colours:

Green: The colour green now represents sensory disabilities, encompassing impairments related to sight, hearing, and other sensory functions. It acknowledges the diversity of sensory experiences within the disability community.

Blue: The colour blue now symbolises emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental health conditions and challenges related to emotional well-being. It highlights the importance of addressing mental health within the broader context of disability pride.

White: The colour white now stands for non-visible and undiagnosed disabilities. It represents conditions that may not be immediately apparent or easily understood, emphasising the significance of recognising and supporting individuals with these hidden disabilities.

Gold: The colour gold now represents neurodiversity, which encompasses conditions such as autism, ADHD, and other neurological differences. It celebrates the unique strengths and perspectives of individuals with neurodivergent identities.

Red: The colour red continues to symbolise physical disabilities, including mobility impairments and other conditions that affect physical function. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by individuals with visible disabilities and the importance of accessibility and inclusion.

The Grey Background: The grey background of the Disability Pride Flag holds significance within the revised interpretation. It represents the experiences of individuals who have passed away due to disabilities, as well as those whose disabilities may not be readily visible or diagnosed. It serves as a reminder to honour the contributions, struggles, and triumphs of all individuals with disabilities, irrespective of their visibility.

Origins and Significance of Disability Pride Month: Disability Pride Month finds its roots in the disability rights movement, which advocates for equal rights, access, and inclusion for individuals with disabilities. It was first established to coincide with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in the United States. This legislation, signed into law on July 26, 1990, prohibits discrimination based on disability and has played a pivotal role in advancing disability rights globally.

Disability Pride Month is essential because it celebrates the achievements and strengths of individuals with disabilities while raising awareness about the challenges they face. It challenges societal stigmas, stereotypes, and ableism, fostering a sense of pride, self-acceptance, and empowerment within the disability community. The month-long celebration provides a platform for education, advocacy, and the promotion of accessibility, encouraging society to recognise and value the talents, contributions, and inherent worth of individuals with disabilities.

As Disability Pride Month unfolds, we are reminded of the extraordinary resilience, diversity, and contributions of individuals with disabilities. The Disability Pride Flag, with its revised colours and grey background, represents the spirit of this celebration, a celebration of strength, growth, passion, and joy. By embracing Disability Pride Month, we support the ongoing journey towards equality, accessibility, and inclusion for all. Let us join hands in celebrating and promoting the rights, accom­plishments, and remarkable potential of individuals with disabilities.

Disability Pride Month

Posted in Internet, Social Media and tagged tenura, disability pride, disability pride month on .

Tenura Christmas and New Year Opening Times

We have had such an exciting year here at Tenura. The world is getting on its feet again, face-to-face contact is back for good, and boy did we love seeing our customer's at the various exhibitions we have attended this year.

You may have seen us at the FIME Show in Miami or Rehacare in Germany. We had great fun, and it was nice to meet as many of you as we did. Next year we hope to be in attendance once again.

Other ideas we have set out for ourselves in the coming year include researching and reaching out to customers to see the innovative ways they are using Tenura daily living aids, so we can help educate others.

Tenura Range in Front of Christmas Tree-Christmas-Video-2

We want to keep bringing you the latest in healthcare and disability news via our blog as well as exclusive discounts for the Tenura website. You can use these discounts to get your Tenura daily living aids at an even better price than they are already listed!

You can explore the Tenura product range via our website/

The Christmas and New Year opening times are as follows:

  • 26th December - Closed
  • 27th December – Closed
  • 28th December – Open, limited services
  • 29th December – Open, limited services
  • 30th December – Closed
  • 31st December – Closed
  • 1st January - Closed
  • 2nd January - Closed
  • 3rd January – Business resumes as normal

Thanks for taking the time to read the last 2022 blog. We hope you'll continue showing your support in 2023! Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Posted in Internet, Tenura Updates and tagged tenura, Christmas, new year, opening times, 2022 on .

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021 & Discount Code

International Day of Persons with Disabilities Logo1992 is when the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was announced and held every year after on the 3rd of December. United Nations lead this observance day and hope those contributing do so in celebration through learning and action. In this blog, we will discuss ways to join in the celebrations in a COVID friendly way.

A Reflection on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2020

Last years theme was an important one and something many of us hadn't cast much thought upon, "Not All Disabilities Are Visible". The theme made people worldwide re-evaluate the stereotypes that stem from the term disabled. Thanks to this campaign, autism, hearing impairments or conditions that affect the brain, neurological system, and mental health became widely recognised in terms of disability.International Days of Persons with Disabilities Twibbon

What is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Theme 2021

We are happy the Coronavirus pandemic is levelling out to a form of normalcy. With this year's theme at the forefront of our minds, 'Fighting for rights in the post-COVID era." We can take a deep look into supporting disabled people following the global pandemic.

How Can We Help the Disabled In This Post COVID World

To best understand how we can support those with disabilities, we have taken a look at the Government's statistics regarding the disabled and how they feel post-COVID.

Mental Health and the Disabled Post COVID

International Day of Persons with Disabilities - Sign Language Video CallPeople with disabilities have stated that their mental health has been negatively affected by Coronavirus, and they are having feelings of anxiety, boredom, stress and loneliness. Almost half of the disabled population reported feeling lonely as an effect of the pandemic, which is significant.

So how can we help? A great way to combat many of the above feelings is by talking about them to others. Some great listeners and advice-givers include family members, friends or professionals. Verbalising problems decreases stress levels and opens up the room for conversation and discussion, relieving anxiety and stress.

24% of UK disabled people stated they hadn't spoken to anyone about their worries.

Healthcare and the Disabled Post COVID

International Day of Persons with Disabilities - A Disabled Person Visiting the Doctors40% of disabled people have stated that access to healthcare for non-Coronavirus related issues has been affected. It's an ambiguous statement, covering many areas from travel to treatment by healthcare professions at hospitals and GP practices.

So how can we help? If you are a healthcare professional, make sure you positively impact any patient and provide the correct information to allow the individual to seek proper treatment. For anyone who has a disabled relative or friend, make sure they have access to transport and can make their appointments. There are online portals to order online prescriptions, so helping them set up an account can give the disabled person a means of acquiring medication without mobility barriers.

Shopping and the Disabled Post COVID

International Day of Persons with Disabilities - A Disabled Person ShoppingIt is our fundamental human right to have access to water, food and other essentials, and this is an area some people with disabilities are finding tricky. 27% of disabled people have stated that having access to groceries, medications, and other essentials have been affected by the Coronavirus.

So how can we help? When shopping and being generally out and about, be mindful of others, keep your 2m distance to make others feel safe in the store. If you have a disabled friend or relative, ask if they need any assistance. If they do not feel comfortable leaving the house, create an online groceries order or help them order goods online. Assess where the disabled person needs additional help and find ways to make this practical and safe.

 

Coronavirus has affected us all but has taken a toll on some of society more so than others. We need to come together as we did for the NHS and make sure that we as a community are inclusive and accessible to all people no matter their circumstances.

Many products on the market can improve the lives of those with disabilities. At Tenura, we have a range of disability aids that can help in all areas of life. We are offering you a 10% discount to support the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021.

You can redeem the code at checkout, receiving 10% off Tenura products such as:

  • Tenura Bottle Opener, Jar Opener, Table Mat and Floor Mat Vertical Banner - White GapsTenura bottle and jar openers, these nifty gadgets are grip-enhancing and make removing lids from containers easier and more comfortable. They are perfect for anyone with weak grip strength.
  • Tenura non-slip bath stickers once applied to your bath or shower. They add a non-slip layer that reduces the risk of slips and falls in a frequently wet and notoriously slippy area of the home. These bath stickers are the solution for people needing mobility assistance in the bathroom.
  • Tenura table mats work well as placemats or on dinner trays to stop plates from sliding. For people with Parkinson's, hand tremors can make carrying a tray tricky but making sure the objects on the tray won't slide can be helpful.
  • Tenura floor mats, you can place them around the home, anywhere you need to add non-slip properties, for example, near your couch to give you a better foothold when standing or sitting down, you can use them in tandem with mobility aids such as walking sticks or wheelchairs.

Use code IDOPWD10 for 10% off the whole Tenura range (valid until 01/12/21).

International Days of Persons with Disabilities Banner and Discount Code

Purple Tuesday 2021 & 10% Discount on Tenura Disability Aids

Some companies are taking up the Purple Tuesday initiative to make their company values align with the disabled community. This blog will outline how you can get involved and what Tenura is doing to ensure we provide inclusive customer service.

So, What’s Purple Tuesday All About

Purple Tuesday LogoFourteen million people in the UK live with a disability, equating to roughly 22% of the population. With that many people classified as having some form of disability, you’d think we would have better infrastructure as a nation to cope with the challenges the disabled community face.

 

We are excited to be taking part this year and joining in with over 5,000 organisations, pledging towards the Purple Tuesday campaign. Each organisation reflects inward to evaluate their customer service to make it a better experience for the disabled.

How Technology and Companies can Help

Website Accessibility - Keyboard Key with Wheelchair Symbol - PinkAs technology and our understanding of disabilities continues to grow, the future for inclusivity is bright, which is precisely what Purple Tuesday is all about.

The technology push towards a more accessible customer experience is essential. It can start with ideas such as website accessibility, voice recognition devices, and providing different channels disabled customers can access your services. Companies coming up with technology advancements in the name of disability inclusion are fantastic, as all these changes can vastly improve a disabled person’s experience with your company.

Man in Wheelchair Using the Wheelchair Access Ramp at WorkCompanies can make changes offline too, which includes; training staff helping them to communicate with disabled people, installing wheelchair ramps, and creating clear signage.

If you are a company that wants to join in on the Purple Tuesday campaign, you can via their website, you need to register, then pledge a commitment that will benefit disabled people using your company. Put your ideas into action and deliver on your goals, so you can celebrate your achievements when it comes to 2nd November.

 

How You Can Help

Those of you speaking out on social media, informing others about businesses stepping in the right direction and making those positive-discrimination steps is impactful. Helping companies recognise ways they can improve accessibility helps create the market pull, pulling companies in line with the values of the disabled community and beyond.

You can use the following hashtags to join in on the conversation:

  • #PT2021
  • #Purple­Tu­es­da­y2021
  • #Disabi­lity­In­clu­sion
  • #Acces­sibi­lity­ForAll

Tenura’s Pledge to Purple Tuesday

We aim to provide a better user experience for disabled people using the Tenura website. We want to be inclusive, and with products aimed at those who are disabled, it seems like a step in the right direction.

Woman with Down Syndrome Using a Laptop to browse Webste Accessibility WebsitesOne step we have taken to reach our goal of a more inclusive website is a website audit. The website audit picks up areas where we can make our website accessible. We will be implementing these ideas in the coming years, as we have big plans, ranging from image naming formulas that aid those using screen readers to releasing a guide on website accessibility in the form of a blog.  We started our strategy last year and have been making small manageable steps towards our goal ever since. As I am sure you appreciate, these adaptations take both time and money.

To further help us towards our website accessibility goal, please send an email informing us of any website accessibility techniques you feel we could implement.

Purple Tuesday Discount Code for Disability Aids-2

We want to show our appreciation to the community pledging towards a better future by offering you a 10% discount on all Tenura products via our website. Use the discount code PURPLETUES10 at checkout to redeem. 

This promotion is running from 26/10/21 to 16/11/21.

New Tenura Video: Children's Assistive Devices

Tenura creates and manufactures helpful assistive devices for children to make life a little simpler. Tenura's ergonomically designed children's products are beneficial during play and mealtimes. The three gadgets on show in the video are Tenura children's cutlery grips, CupCaps and non-slip mats. You can use these products to promote the development of fine motor skills like handwriting.

Skills such as handwriting and properly using cutlery, may not seem necessary. However, they are the foundation to key life skills, and by using and practising with cutlery, the child's brain develops fine motor skills.

Fine motor skills are the movements we make using our smaller muscles for intricate tasks, a task in our daily lives that requires such skill is fastening the buttons on your top, tying shoelaces, writing and correctly using cutlery.

Children who do not practice fine motor skills often have low self-esteem because they are unable to complete the same tasks as their peers. So, let's make sure your child is happy and prepared for life by encouraging their development using Tenura children's products.

Explore the benefits of our Children's Range:

Children's Cutlery Grips

Children can struggle to hold items with thin handles as it requires fine motor skills and coordination. Typically, children can feed themselves by age seven, having acquired these skills through years of practice. You may not give it much thought but grasping smaller objects requires a more extensive range of movement, which is why some children struggle to hold cutlery. To help your child, slide Tenura children's cutlery grips onto handles, enlarging their surface area and making them more comfortable to hold. Some great examples include:

  • Toothbrushes
  • Paintbrushes
  • Pens and Pencils
  • Hairbrushes

Children's cutlery grips come in a pack of two and are available in three colours, red, blue and grey.

For larger hands, we have ergonomically designed adult cutlery grips.

Children's Cutlery Grips on Paintbrush and Toothbrush in use

Children's Table Mats

Arts and crafts are a treasured pastime for all children, often consisting of paint, pens and glue, all of which can leave horrifying marks on your furniture. However, by using a Tenura children's mat as a barrier between the table and their art, you can protect your surfaces and keep the mess contained. Tenura mats are easy to wash/wipe down and are dishwasher safe.

The mat's silicone non-slip properties prevent spillages, as paint pots and other mess-making supplies are securely held in place by the children's mat.

There are two funky shaped children's mats available, an orange cat and a green frog.

Children's Table Mats Protecting the Table form Paint as Children Play

Tenura CupCaps – Silicone Drink Lids

We are all prone to knocking over drinks, especially children, whose bodies are growing and don't have the best spatial awareness. With that in mind, CupCaps can be an ideal help. CupCaps are stretchy silicone drink lids that create a seal over the top of containers to keep the liquid inside and avoid spillages. Stretch the drinks cap over your cup, insert a straw through the eyelet and away you go, mess-free.

T-CC-1-8cm-CupCap-Knocked-Over-Glass-Childrens Video-2

Benefits of Tenura Children's Assistive Devices

Tenura’s three assistive devices for children are made from silicone, which means that have fantastic qualities, which include:

  • Non-Toxic
    • An essential feature as children tend to put things in their mouth, so the last thing you want is the object to be toxic
  • Antimicrobial
    • Bacteria can't harbour on the mat's surface. Your child has a developing immune system, so it is crucial to reduce the risk of infection/­illness
  • Latex-Free
    • Your child could be allergic to latex, and you may not be aware
  • Easy to hand wash and dishwasher safe
    • Tenura children's products can withstand temperatures up to 250°C

If you would like to contact us regarding the Tenura children's range or our other products, please fill out the contact form.

A Child Developing Fine Motor Skills by Cutting Paper

Developing Fine Motor Skills in Children

Performing actions with increased frequency positively affects how smooth, fast and accurate the motion can be completed in the future, becoming ingrained in 'muscle memory'.

As for a child learning how to write, years of practice go by to develop the skill. If you have ever tried to practice the art form, calligraphy, you will realise what it was like when first beginning writing. You have to train your hand to complete the same motion each time ensuring every letter is identical in style. You have to train your body to make those exact motions.

By repetitively completing actions, you also build up the strength in the muscles involved in that movement, especially supportive muscles required for fine motor skills. As these improvements continue, the brain takes note and sends out altered signals each time, which is, of course, why practice makes perfect.

To help develop this skill in your children, you should practice activities such as colouring/­drawing, tracing, cutting, writing, playing with playdough and using cutlery when eating.

 

Subscribe to the blog to get more helpful information and save 10% on your next Tenura purchase!

If you would like any further information on the products showcased in this blog and video, check out their product pages: Children's Cutlery Grips | Children's Table Mats | CupCaps

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from All of us at Tenura!

Tenura Merry Christmas BannerI can safely say that 2020 was not the year we were all expecting! Luckily 2021 is in sight.

For me, 2021 holds a wealth of opportunity, and I will hopefully get to see more of my friends and family (of course, as and when the government deem it safe). Staying connected with my friends and family in the coming year is going to be one of my main focuses, and I believe this to be in line with that of the UK population. We have all missed out on seeing family during milestones such as birthdays.

T-FLOOR-60-2-Blue-Floor-Mat-Pet Food Bowls Resting on Tenura Non-Slip Floor Mat-Pet Dog Eating at ChristmasDuring this time, please keep in your mind, relatives or friends who are struggling to live independently and may require your assistance from time to time, check up on them and make sure they are doing well, this is what Christmas is all about. We know it can be challenging to spread the Christmas spirit when barriers such as lockdowns are in play. However, these people are a part of our community and deserve the utmost care.

2021 in terms of Tenura is another full year of helpful videos, and continued commitment to deliver our high-quality products inter­nati­onally, to help everyone worldwide who hasn’t yet discovered the wonders of Tenura.

Fingers crossed we will see you at one of the exhibitions we plan on attending. However, it is too early to give any more details on the whereabouts, as we know, from our 2020 experience, these details are subject to change. Subscribe to the blog to stay up-to-date (and receive a 10% off discount code).

As for our opening hours during the Christmas period, they are as follows:

Date

Opening Times

Friday 25th December till Tuesday 29th December 2020

CLOSED

Wednesday 30th December till Thursday 31st December 2020

08:30 to 17:30 - LIMITED SERVICES

Friday 1st December 2020

CLOSED

Monday 4th January 2021

OPEN + FULLY OPERATIONAL

Tenura Heart LogoIf you are going to make a purchase and would like it in time for Christmas, we suggest ordering before the 23rd December if delivery is within the UK and for the rest of Europe order before the 24th to avoid disappointment.

From the bottom of our hearts here at Tenura, we wish you all the best for the new year, and we hope that Christmas goes as well as it can, even if we can’t be with our loved ones, we can connect with them in other ways.

Now is a time to reflect, reminiscence and create goals for a joyous new year. Let us know your aspirations for 2021 by connecting with us on our socials (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram)

Posted in Internet, Tenura Updates and tagged Tenura, merry Christmas, happy new year, 2021, Tenura products on .

Fixing the Plastic Crisis

Plastic-crisisIn modern day Life it is virtually impossible to avoid plastic, but with the growing epidemic of plastic pollution it is in our best interests to minimise the amount we use.

Plastics harm the environment by seeping into soil and water, degrading our beaches, killing wildlife, choking our oceans and killing millions of marine animals each year.

There is now a huge campaign to reduce the plastic foot print by governments, environmental groups and worldwide supporters.

We are part of the problem and now need to be part of the solution.

Our problem is that we live in a throw away culture and urgency is needed to move away from this lifestyle involving single usage plastic.

Even If we make little changes in our day to day life, that can help to reduce our own plastic footprint.

Even if we each make little changes in our day to day lives, together they will have a huge impact in reducing the plastic footprint.

Below are a few pointers to go plastic free at home.

Plastic Bags

Purchase reusable bags made from durable, envi­ron­men­tally-friendly materials that will last time and time again.

Plastic Bottles

Refillable, glass water bottles are much better for the environment and yourself.

Plastic Straws

Skip a straw or buy a reusable metal one.

Shop Local

local Markets or local farmers markets are ideal for plastic free shopping as most items are displayed loose and stall holders more likely to accommodate your needs. Most food hasn’t travelled miles to get to you therefore the carbon footprint is low.

Buy in Bulk

Reduces the amount of plastic packaging.

Reusable Party Cutlery

The amount of single use partyware we through away in our lifetimes if we thought about it would add up to a considerable amount.

Recycle When Possible

This will give your used packaging the best chance of being disposed of correctly to reduce the pollution created from waste.

The ‘Attenborough Effect’ has sparked a rise in beaches around the UK having a big clean up. With a rise in 18 beaches since last year being awarded for their litter free sands. Over the past 12 months, this movement has led to a 53 percent reduction in single-use plastic.

Large fast-food and coffee franchises such as McDonalds, Nandos and Cost Coffee are leading the way in the eradication of their single-use, plastic straws.

Certain Supermarkets are also taking action to reduce plastic packaging on their products by creating plastic-free aisles so consumers can buy products loosely, or bring their own containers.

The UK has also banned products containing microbeads within the last year.

What Effort is Tenura Making?

new-tenura-cardboard-retail-packsHere at Tenura we are making the move from plastic to cardboard packaging, starting with our jar and bottle openers. By 2020, the entire Tenura range will be packaged in cardboard retail boxes.

Cardboard is a very durable material, which allows products to withstand long transportation times. It prevents moisture from accessing goods within the packaging and prevents them from becoming damaged.

Cardboard is biodegradable and recyclable, with it also being more easily and widely recycled than any other material. With it being a lighter packaging, this would also reduce the emissions used when transporting.

For more specific information on our new cardboard packaging, or to place an order, you can contact the Tenura sales team via phone. Alternatively complete our contact us form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Rubber Bath Toys A Haven for Bacteria

rubber-duck-in-bathSwiss and American researchers recently released a study stating that bath-time toys, rubber ducks predominantly in this case, become a haven for disease-spreading bacteria.

The Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, ETH Zurich and the University of Illinois, counted the microbes found in the murky, stagnant water that resided in some of these bath-time toys. In 4 out of the 5 toys studied, they found that the water squeezed out of them contained “potentially pathogenic bacteria” such as Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bacterium which is “often implicated in hospital-acquired infection”.

While differences have been found in others, many bath-toys have produced similar results and the reason is down to the material. The plastic materials, with low-quality polymers in them, release carbons that can serve as food for the bacteria. While some of the bacteria is present in the water, bodily fluids, various contaminants and soap are also added. The additional components add microbes and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous and when the bacteria are introduced to this balmy brine and the carbon released from the bath-toys material it creates a formula that produces a haven for bacteria to grow and thrive, so much, so there was a strikingly high number recorded. Up to 75 million cells per square centimetre of a variety of bacteria and fungus. The research had lead to the conclusion that without the carbon produced from the low-quality polymers in the material, this number would have been much less dramatic.

The presence of bacteria is important for the development of a child’s immune system, but too much can lead to infections. The increase of which can be avoided by better quality bath toys that feature higher quality polymers thus preventing the growth and fungus and bacteria.

Tenura Antimicrobial Daily Living Aids

With Tenura for the most part being hand held daily living aids intended for use around food and drink, we too faced similar issues in making sure our products did not subject our users to these risks as well as others.

Initially creating our daily living aids from a non-toxic material, silicone, we removed the need for phthalates to be used in our products to make them pliable enough for their purpose. Phthalates have been used in similar products. It helps to soften cheaper materials to give them a more rubber like finish. The problem with phthalates, is that they are toxic and exposure to them can have long term detrimental health effects. This has resulted in them being banned or restricted in parts of Europe and the USA.

To help combat bacteria the only additive we used is an anti-microbial powder, added during the manufacturing process which prevents the build-up of bacteria and protecting against mould and fungi. This solitary additive is intended to help protect our customers, as well as add value through longevity to our daily living aids.

View the range on the website. Spend £50 or more and we will deliver your order to you free of charge.

How Phthalates are Used in Everyday Objects

bank-notes

A lot of media attention has focused on the new British plastic £5 banknote containing animal fats. The use of animal fats is controversial for envi­ron­men­talists, vegans, and vegetarians.­ 

The proposed new plastic £20 note will contain palm oil. While being more vegan friendly, the implications of the use of palm oil are the processes to obtain this oil devastates forests, leaving many animals without their natural habitats in which they reside. They say they are going to be producing the new plastic £20 notes using sustainable palm oil, but the jury, as ever, is out.

But what purpose do those oils and fats serve? The answer, phthalate plasticisers. Phthalates soften plastic, making it malleable. Without phthalates, plastic would be harder and brittle.  What is interesting is that the British polymer banknote manufacturer took a safe approach, animal-derived and palm oil additives are only in trace amounts. They used a safe phthalate, not something harsh like DEHP, DINP, DIDP etc.

tenura-jar-opener

The Bank of England has estimated that the anticipated volume of £20 banknotes would require by-products from 25-30 cattle. If you would like to find out more information regarding the use of palm oil and animal derivatives in UK banknotes, The Bank of England has produced an informative brochure.

For our environmentally conscious readers, it is also worth highlighting:

  • The new £5 banknote lasts 2.5% longer than their paper predecessors
  • Polymer banknotes have a 16% lower carbon footprint and can be recycled
  • Polymer banknotes are also three times more hygienic

Tenura takes a strict approach to plasticisers; we believe that objects which are handled regularly should not contain them. Unlike other companies that offer PVC materials laden with phthalates (DEHP, DINP, etc), Tenura takes a different approach. Heavily plasticised PVC materials were developed in the 1960s and viewed as the future product; cheap to produce, easy to mould and possess an initial level of tack.

From the 1980s onwards, research soon highlighted high-level health risks, so much so that a PVC phthalate ban is in place for use in hot food containers, children’s toys, and objects that are likely to enter a child’s mouth, for instance, a milk bottle. The EU, the US Federal Government, and especially the states of California and Oregon have progressively legislated against the use of phthalates.­  When we created the Tenura range of daily living aids, non-slip bottle & jar openers, non-slip placemats, and cup holders, we wanted to use modern, safe, envi­ron­men­tally-friendly materials. Silicone is a green material that produces products with similar qualities without the use of any phthalates.

For more information, you can contact Tenura by phone or by filling out the contact us form on the website.