Back to School: Time to Stress Handwashing with National Clean Hands Week

Back to School is here, and like many parents I could shout it from the rooftop! For many the Back to School cold and virus dread might overshadow this momentary surge of happiness. Just in time, the Clean Hands Coalition would like all to celebrate National Clean Hands Week this September 16 - 22, 2007. Teaching kids the importance of handwashing might just keep "Back to School" from turning into "Back to the Doc."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for Food Safety and Nutrition, states children who wash their hands at least four times a day can greatly decrease their chance for illness. Children who participated in the frequent handwashing missed over fifty percent fewer days from school because of stomach distress and nearly twenty five percent fewer days due to respiratory problems and sickness.

These are important findings considering the statistics provided by the CDC on children and absenteeism. As reported on the CDC website, school age children miss 22 million days each school year due to nothing more than the Common Cold.

Back to school guidelines on handwashing will not only benefit your child at school but your family at home as well. The National Clean Hands website offers some advice and recommendations on cleaning hands thoroughly.

Remember to wash your hands frequently when you, or someone around you, are sick with a cold or virus. The Center for Disease and Control recommends washing your hands for about 20 seconds. If you or your child would rather not count, try singing the birthday song twice in your head.

It is also important to stress handwashing when touching or preparing any type of food item, as well as before snacks and meals. If it is not possible to wash your hands before eating, hand sanitizers or hand wipes are a good alternative to kill and eradicate germs. However, it is important to stress that nothing beats a thorough handwashing.

As parents or caregivers, it is very important to stress handwashing after a visit to the restroom as well. Additionally, everyone should wash his or her hands after playing with or petting any animals. Many children choose to forgo handwashing at these times because they are in a hurry to get back to other activities.

Something parents might consider when purchasing Back to School supplies is to buy disinfecting wipes for your child's classroom. Providing your child with Hand Sanitizer for use at school is a wonderful idea as well.

As reported by the CDC many viruses and bugs can live up to two hours on surfaces such as doorknobs and desktops so remember to discuss handwashing and its importance. During National Clean Hands Week, it is important for parents and kids to understand that a good ole handwashing can go a long way in keeping everyone healthy and on the way to school.

Resources include:
The Soap and Detergent Association has provided a link for those who wish to print a free flyer for National Clean Hands Week.
www.cleaning101.com/files/2007-National-Clean-Hands-Week.pdf

Soap and Detergent Association: Hand Hygiene
www.cleaning101.com/HandHygiene/index.cfm#news

Website for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/germstopper/home_work_school.htm

Website for U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition: Handwashing
www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/a2z-h.html#handwashing