If you’re familiar with our School Hygiene Project, you’ll know that we’re passionate about teaching good hygiene habits in schools, specifically where handwashing is concerned. It’s this commitment to health and hygiene that has helped us reach over 2 million school children through our partnership with the Department of Health and the National Schools Hygiene and Sanitation Programme.
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Healthy Hygiene Habits for 2021
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that hygiene is necessary to maintain health and help prevent the spread of infection-causing germs. This is carried out through personal hygiene but can also extend to the way we prepare food. Health and hygiene are important because without them, we could get sick or be the reason why germs are spread to the ones we love.
With a new year in full swing, which healthy hygiene habits should your children be embracing as they get back to school? Handwashing with soap
1) Prioritise Handwashing
If a global pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that hand hygiene and proper handwashing are imperative. Before and after meals, when going to the bathroom, after playing outside, whenever hands are dirty, your child should be washing their hands with an antibacterial soap with germ protection, like Lifebuoy. Our website also contains additional tips to explain the importance of handwashing to your child.
2) Carry Hand Sanitiser at All Times
At the moment, ensuring that your child has a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer like Lifebuoy in their school bag or when they’re out and about is a must. This should be used when soap and water are not available and only if hands are not soiled. If your child comes into direct contact with someone else or is sharing objects, hand sanitizers are a great option as they work well on germs. Show them how to use the sanitizer and explain why they need to do their best to use it regularly.
3) Keep Fingernails Short
Germs can be easily trapped under long fingernails and can be quickly transferred into your child’s mouth, nose and eyes. Ensure that your child’s nails are trimmed and kept clean and neat at all ties.
4) If They’re Feeling Ill, Keep Them Home
Should your child display any kind of symptom or voice that they’re feeling unwell, keep them at home. In the midst of a global pandemic, you cannot be too careful. It’s better to be safe if you’re unsure on what their diagnosis could be. Most schools are requesting that parents follow this protocol as well.
5) Put an End to Unhealthy Habits
Every child needs to know the importance of good hygiene. Although most germs are invisible to the naked eye, kids should know that they’re still floating in the air around us. As a result, we should all do our best to follow hygiene practices that keep ourselves and others safe. This could mean:
- No nail biting or nose picking
- Covering your mouth when you cough
- Covering your nose when you sneeze
- Unpacking your lunch box as soon as you get home from school to prevent spoilage of food
6) Show Them How to Lead by Example
Many of us might have kids who complain about the poor hygiene habits of other children in class. To address such situations, we suggest empowering your child to lead by example and teaching them to demonstrate the correct hygiene measures. This can start by simply encouraging them to share their sanitizer and explaining why sanitizer is important.
Hygiene Starts at Home, But It Continues At School
Teaching our children about good hygiene is vital for their health and success. It’s why we’re proud to be part of the journey in many households and schools across the nation.
Find out more about our School Hygiene Project or read additional health articles. You can also learn more about our history and see why we’ve been considered the pioneers of health since 1894.
