Vital for all school, daycare and home situations says report
Anywhere that children gather together can become a hotbed of illness and infection, which is why the teaching of effective hand washing and infection control techniques should be taught to all young children, according to a recent report on the Irish Examiner website.
A new initiative has been launched in Ireland with a new Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) poster campaign writes the article’s author, Helen O’Callaghan. The posters, with a focus on improving respiratory hygiene have been distributed to all schools and crèches as a significant element in a resource pack.
The theme of the campaign is that “…the 10 best things to spread bugs among children are the 10 fingers on their hands”. Children are of course gathered together in schools, daycare centres, homes and crèches, exposing each of them to potential new illnesses. Their immune systems are not yet fully developed and kids tend to sneeze and cough into their hands, suck their thumbs and put things into their mouths.
Why it is so important for children to be taught hand washing
HSE national lead for infection control, Professor Martin Cormican, is quoted as saying how important it is for children to be taught effective hand washing techniques.
“Research shows regular hand hygiene reduces by one-third the number of common infections, like colds, flu and diarrhoea.”
“Prof Cormican advises making washing hands fun by singing a song that lasts sufficiently long to get the job done, as well as explaining the importance of hand-washing to older children.”
Dr John Cuddihy, interim director at HSE HPSC is quoted as saying that “…good respiratory and hand hygiene can help parents reduce the risk of having to stay home from work due to their child’s or their own illness”.
New campaign for kids is giving hygiene a helping hand »
Teach hand washing to every child – wherever they’re having fun!
Hand washing is the most important lesson a child can learn and acquiring it is an essential lifelong skill. A Kiddiwash Xtra or KiddiSynk portable hand washing sink can be positioned right next to the sand pit – helping to ensure that children dramatically reduce the risk of infection as they finish play.
The Kiddiwash range of warm water hand wash units are perfect for smaller hands – and are ideal where a portable solution is required.
Whether you require a larger wheeled unit such as the KiddiSynk, or the ultra portable Kiddiwash Xtra, you can ensure that all children in your care are able to wash their hands whether inside or out.
