2005 Year in Review

Hand washing – The Best Way to Keep Kids from Getting Sick

Our mothers always told us, “Wash your hands!” Turns out that mother was right.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness is to wash our hands.

The problem is that we just don’t do it. According to one study of middle school and high school students, only 58 percent of girls and 48 percent of boys wash their hands after using the bathroom. And of those who did wash, only 33 percent of the girls and 8 percent of the boys used soap!

There are lots of reasons why kids in schools don’t wash their hands:
- Sinks don’t work.
- No soap or paper towels
- No time in the school day to wash before meals
- Vandalism in the washrooms

Washing hands does make a big difference. One study done in an elementary school in Tacoma, Washington, showed that children who washed their hands four times a day had 57 percent fewer absences from school than children who did not wash their hands in the same school.

Schools need to make time for students to wash their hands throughout the day – but especially before eating and after using the restroom. It will help keep the kids in school.

Parents can reinforce the message by reminding children to wash their hands at home. Help children understand that a quick pass under cold running water isn’t enough. We need to wash our hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds – long enough to sing the Happy Birthday song twice or Row, Row, Row Your Boat three times.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
February 25, 2005