Why all children should be taught to wash hands effectively

Drug resistant bacteria – a “growing threat”

Children will benefit greatly if teachers demonstrate how to use soap and water correctly, according to a recent report on the BBC website.

NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, has produced draft guidelines explaining the importance of effective hand washing for children (and adults) in order to “tackle the growing threat of drug resistant bacteria”.

Age-appropriate lessons

Antibiotic drugs are often unnecessary – a fact which children should be made aware of says the article, which cites that they are not appropriate treatments for colds and flu.

The draft guidelines include advice for effective hand washing techniques – three stages that cover preparation, washing and drying.

1- “Wet hands under tepid running water before applying the soap

2 – “Coat all surfaces of the hands with the soap and rub them together vigorously for 10-15 seconds, paying particular attention to the fingers, thumbs and areas between the fingers, then rinse thoroughly

3 – “Dry with good quality paper towels.”

Read “Pupils ‘need hand-washing lessons’ to cut drug resistance” »

Portable sinks and basins for younger school children

Handwash training for children is easy with a TEAL unit. Kids just love the warm gentle wash with these portable sinks. And TEAL mobile sinks can ensure that children can have access to a warm water hand wash – even where they are enjoying outside play!

The TEAL KiddiWash and KiddiSynk mobile sinks are designed especially for smaller hands – and they make hand washing educational and fun.

Perfect for nurseries, creches, pre-school, outside play areas and children’s pet farms, TEAL warm water hand wash units are robust, easy to use and easy to clean.