17 people have died this year after being exposed to hand sanitizer made with methanol, a highly toxic chemical, the FDA says. Read this article and watch the video report, wherein a number of safety precautions for buying, handling and storing alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended. We have just one recommendation: Buy Prefense Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer, instead. Prefense is water-based and retains your skin’s natural moisture. That’s easier, and much safer.