It’s that time of year when school bells ring, classrooms are filled and children are back to school. But, students and staff aren’t the only things that fill the halls …
One of the most common interruptions during back-to-school season are germs and viruses. In fact, 80% of all infections spread from hand-to-hand contact. It’s no wonder why over 22 million school days are lost each year due to the common cold.
This back-to-school season, protecting students and staff from sickly germs and viruses can be done with one simple solution – hand washing.
Many diseases and conditions are spread by improper hand washing. Germs and viruses from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects like door handles, table tops or toys and then transferred to another person’s hands. One of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs and viruses to others is by keeping hands clean.
Implementing a hand hygiene program at schools is a must and it’s a fact that good habits start when we are young. Learning the proper technique for hand washing proves to be valuable for a lifetime of healthy hand hygiene practices. When implementing a hand hygiene program, a school is committed to a healthy atmosphere for children, staff and families. Not to mention, hand washing with soap could protect approximately 1 in 3 children who get sick, improving attendance and increasing dollars for the school.
Here are some quick tips to teach germs and viruses a lesson:
- Wash hands frequently – make sure hands are washed before eating, after using the restroom, after coughing or sneezing and after recess.
- Follow the CDC model for hand washing – wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and clean water.
- Place hand sanitizer outside the restroom door for use after leaving the restroom.
- Don’t spread germs to others – stay at home when you are sick.
No touch is germ-free, but when it comes to keeping students and staff healthy throughout the school year, prevention by hand washing protects them from the spread of germs and viruses.
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