Healthy Tips

Cleaning removes germs from surfaces, whereas disinfecting actually destroys them. Cleaning with soap and water to remove dirt and most of the germs is usually enough. But sometimes an adult needs to disinfect for an extra level of protection from germs. While surfaces may look clean, remember that invisible illness-causing germs can live on surfaces for hours or, in some instances, even days.


Germs can spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs can live for a long time (some can live for 2 hours or more) on surfaces like doorknobs, desks and tables.


In addition to regularly washing hands with soap and water to help get rid of germs, regularly disinfecting commonly touched surfaces—both at home and in the classroom—at the beginning and end of each school day can help minimize the likelihood of spreading germs.


According to the Centers for Disease Control, 22 million school days are lost every year due to the common cold. Show children how to do the “elbow” cough and sneeze (using their elbows to cover their mouths instead of their hands). Or, remind them to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue, immediately throw it away and then wash their hands.


Be a good role model—if you need to cough or sneeze, especially in public, use your elbow to trap the germs rather than your hands in order to prevent spreading germs to the next surface you touch.


Encourage your children to drop their book bags, take off their shoes and leave their coats at the door when they walk in. Send them straight to the sink to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds (long enough to sing Happy Birthday twice!).


Teach your children about the importance of hand washing before every meal, after using the bathroom and after playing outside.


Doctors and other health professionals in the medical field use all kinds of codes to communicate. A Code Blue at a hospital sometimes indicates a medical emergency. In your classroom, why not designate a Code Blue Ribbon to mean a germ alert when hands or surfaces need some extra cleaning?


Teaching students the importance of eating a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, calcium and protein can help insure their growing bodies get the nutrients they need to stay healthy all school year.


It’s really no surprise that the 100+ year-old Welsh proverb, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is still popular today, since apples are now known to provide plenty of vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber for good health.


Give kids plenty of high protein foods, fruits, vegetables and vitamins to give their bodies the defenses they need. A good breakfast is especially important to start their school day off right.