Blog, Schools and nurseries
Teach hand washing to give kids the “healthiest start to the New Year”
Jan
Parents and carers urged to take “simple steps”
A timely reminder from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been issued as children return to school for the first time in 2025.
The focus of the guidance release is on good old fashioned hand washing, why it’s so important – and the key role that parents and carers must adopt in order to help protect children, staff and parents at what is usually the worst time of the year for illnesses. And this year, things seem to be worse than usual!
UKHSA are presenting adults with what they refer to as an “opportunity to teach children about the importance of good hygiene” in the light of the high number of winter viruses – in particularly norovirus and flu.
The latter is “circulating at high levels in the community” – and incidents of other illnesses – including the highly unpleasant norovirus – are also described as “high”.
Hand washing – lead by example
Adults should at all times “encourage good hygiene habits” says the UKHSA, in order to help protect classrooms and households from illness outbreaks. Top of this list, as ever, is the teaching of effective soap and water hand washing, when, how and why to undertake it.
“Regularly washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, or using hand sanitiser when convenient, is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs.”
The guidance also cautions against the over-reliance on such gels, stating that they are an interim measure only, not being particularly effective under certain circumstances.
“Alcohol gels don’t kill all bugs so don’t rely on these.”
The report quotes the Director, Clinical & Emerging Infections at UKHSA. Dr Richard Pebody stated that this is what he describers as “an important time of year”, with the combination of a new school term and the usual winter illness accompaniment.
He refers to simple steps which really can make a difference, such as knowing when to keep your child off school – and of course “making sure your child is regularly washing their hands”.
Parents and carers urged to help children start New Year healthy »
Mobile hand washing sinks – for everyone!
Teal produces portable hand washing sinks that are idea for preschool and nursery children including 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.