Blog, Schools and nurseries
Teach hand washing to children at home and preschool says UKHSA
Nov
The best protection against norovirus and the flu says government agency
Children across the country have returned to school – something that could well increase an already high number of norovirus and flu cases across the country. But there’s something very significant and straightforward that all teachers, nursery staff, parents and carers can be doing right now, that will do more than anything else to protect youngsters from these unpleasant diseases, says a recent article on The Mirror website.
It’s easy to teach, easy to understand – and inexpensive to carry out. In short, it’s hand washing with soap and water.
Health and Science Editor at The Mirror, Martin Bagot, reported on newly issued guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which warned about the surge of flu and norovirus instances. The latter in particular is proving to be a cause for concern with activity in the last couple of weeks being “double the five-season average for the same two-week period while flu is steadily increasing.”
The article quotes the director for emerging infections at the UKHSA, who stated that it’s important that kids are given the “best start possible ahead of winter”. To help ensure that, said Dr Richard Pebody, the good news is that “it only takes simple steps to reduce the spread of most of these infections.”
You’ve guessed it – it’s hand washing!
“The UKHSA said it is vital that parents encourage good hygiene habits for children, reinforcing the importance of handwashing and using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes.”
“Children should be told to wash their hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds” says the guidance, which emphasised that it’s not just the washing of hands with soap and water that’s crucial, it’s doing it properly for the right length of time that makes it far more effective.
If everybody washes their hand properly in a preschool environment – and that means of course staff as well as children – it will help protect everyone by significantly reducing the risk of them falling ill.
And as the guidance says,
“Stomach bugs spread rapidly in schools and nurseries.”
We’ve all been there – and it’s not a pretty sight when that happens!
Health chiefs warn of surge in norovirus and flu and outline four key steps to avoid them »
Hand wash units for younger children – place them wherever they’re needed!
Teal produces portable hand washing sinks that are idea for preschool and nursery childrenincluding the KiddiSynk and KiddiWash, which can be used equally effectively indoor or out.
The Teal range of mobile sinks includes the MediWash, Hygienius and Hygienius ProWash, BigSynk, Super Stallette, TEALwash, Handeman Xtra, Compact Classic, HandSpa, CliniWash – and now the new WashStand Xtra.