Topic: School Germs.
One of the most common frustrations voiced by parents is that it is tough to keep kids healthy once they are back at school. All it takes is a single child in the classroom to come down with a common infection for the spread of germs to begin.
Kitana has been sick a few times already this year! Even though it has been a frustrating journey, I knew the right thing to do was keep her at home until she got better. Germs are everywhere and it is even worse at school.
School Germs can be the worst for your little one who has a weak immune system.
It is so important to teach our kids from young about washing their hands regularly.
According to Lifebuoy, the world’s number one selling germ protection soap brand, while catching some bugs are unavoidable there are still ways to reduce the chance of your child getting sick. A major contributor to the spread of illness between learners is the lack of awareness on how a simple action like washing hands with soap and running water before eating, after using the bathroom or just when they come inside from playing can significantly reduce the spread of germs.
With no means to really manage your child’s hygiene habits once they are out of the protected home environment, there are still certain habits that will help protect your child from back-to-school germs:
10 ways to beat the back-to-school Germs:
1. Get enough sleep – about 9 to 11 hours a night for school children is the recommendation from the National Sleep Foundation.
2. Practice frequent hand washing with water and soap, especially at the five key occasions: before breakfast, lunch, and dinner, after using the bathroom and when you bath/shower.
3. Cover your mouth when you cough.
4. Use a tissue when you sneeze and throw it away immediately after or sneeze into the crook of your arm.
5. Keep your hands away from your eyes and out of your mouth.
6. Don’t share bottles, food or personal items. Follow the rule: if you put the item in your mouth, keep it to yourself.
7. Avoid close contact with other children who are sick.
8. Stay home when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
9. Eat healthy foods.
10. Play! Exercise is good for you.
It’s important for parents and teachers to note that long hours in close proximity promotes the spread of common germs that cause these illnesses. Therefore, healthy hand hygiene and washing hands in the right way, is essential to protect children from germs.
When it comes to protecting ones family and keeping them healthy, prevention is better than cure. To find out more about Lifebuoy or tips on how to implement a healthy hand wash routine, visit the Lifebuoy website and Facebook page.