Back-to-school time is here, and along with backpacks, school supplies and busy schedules comes something we don’t get quite as excited about—germs! When kids head back into classrooms, lunch-rooms, buses and activities, they are once again spending a lot of time in close contact with each other. That makes this a great time for a quick reminder about one of our best defenses against illness: good handwashing.
It sounds simple, but handwashing really does make a difference. Throughout the day, kids touch desks, door handles, playground equipment, shared supplies and plenty of other surfaces. Then, without thinking about it, they touch their eyes, nose or mouth. That’s an easy way for germs to make their way into the body.
Kids should get in the habit of washing their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, after playing outside, and after coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose. And, of course, anytime their hands are visibly dirty.
A quick splash of water doesn’t count! Good handwashing means using soap and running water and scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to get the palms, backs of the hands, between the fingers and around the fingernails before rinsing and drying.
Hand sanitizer is handy when soap and water aren’t available. Look for one with at least 60% alcohol. Just remember that sanitizer isn’t a replacement for handwashing in every situation. If hands are dirty or greasy, soap and water are the better choice.
Parents can help by making handwashing part of the routine at home, too. Kids learn by watching us, and a few simple reminders can go a long way.
We can’t prevent every cold, stomach bug or virus that comes through the school doors. But we can give our kids a pretty simple tool to help slow the spread.
This school year, remember: clean hands help keep kids healthy, in the classroom and ready to learn!
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)