A protective device for use with a container inhibits ingress of unwanted materials into the container's handhold opening while permitting insertion of a hand for grasping the handhold opening. The protective device comprises a mounting panel sized greater than the handhold opening and having a portal formed therein. A first adhesive material is located on a first side surface of the mounting panel and secures the mounting panel in a secured state to a wall in the interior of the container with the portal positioned over the handhold opening. A deadening material is disposed on a selected area of the first adhesive material to inhibit the adherence of the mounting panel to a portion of the wall which confronts the deadening material, and an exclusion panel has a surrounding outer peripheral margin portion and is sized and configured to have a panel size greater than the size and configuration of the handhold opening. A container having such a protective device is also provided.