Keeping Schools Safe and Disinfected During Flu Season
Never mind rowdy students or a hastily made paper plane sailing across the classroom; come winter, viruses are the real disrupters. Millions of children get the flu yearly, bringing it into schools and potentially affecting their peers. But winter doesn’t have to lead to coughs, sniffles, and sick days; there are several ways to keep your classroom healthy and your students happy. Consider the following:
Clean Your Carpets Regularly
The right carpet cleaner can reduce germs tracked in via sneakers, backpacks, jackets, and hands. Shoes, in particular, are known for soiling carpets, as they can harbor millions of bacteria and viruses. How often you need to shampoo really depends on the amount of foot traffic. A storage closet might need shampooing once a month, while a doorway requires weekly maintenance.
Encourage Good Handwashing
If the COVID pandemic taught us anything, it’s that most of us weren’t washing our hands enough. Kids are especially prone to poor hygiene, preferring to use their pant legs rather than a bathroom faucet. Reminding students to practice regular handwashing can help prevent up to 20% of respiratory infections, keeping the flu at least somewhat in check.
Encourage Parents to Keep Sick Kids at Home
A forgiving sick policy helps encourage parents to keep their children home whenever they spike a fever, cough, or find their noses running. On the other hand, a policy that punishes kids for missing class leads parents to send under-the-weather kids to school, making it harder to stop any contagion from running wild.
Disinfect Surfaces Regularly
Most schools disinfect their surfaces year-round, as kids bring germs every season. Disinfecting surfaces more often can help keep schools cleaner and safer. Particular attention should be given to items kids touch frequently, such as door and cabinet knobs, pencil sharpeners, desks, faucets, and writing or painting utensils.
‘Tis the season to be sniffling, but that doesn’t mean your school needs to rival a petri dish regarding the germs it harbors. Keeping carpets clean, hands washed, surfaces disinfected, and sick children home can do wonders for health and well-being.
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