Soap and water must be used for effective hand hygiene
Petting zoos, farm visits and other animal based attractions are a brilliant way to entertain and educate younger children. It is however, crucial that they’re all taught how to fulfil one particularly important task whenever they’re on a trip to such a place: they must know how and when to wash their hands with soap and water.
Public Health Wales (PHW) recently reinforced this particularly important message ahead of Open Farm Sunday earlier this month. In its guidance Open farm visitors reminded to take safety precautions when visiting farms it warned that “Even healthy farm animals can carry diseases which can cause illness in humans, importantly diarrhoeal illnesses such as Cryptosporidium and E. coli.”
Children are particularly at risk, said the guidance, along with pregnant women and the elderly. Reference is made to a recent farm visit day in Wales that unfortunately resulted in an outbreak of Cryptosporidium, with more than 80 confirmed cases, some of which resulted in hospital treatment.
Why soap and water washing is the ONLY option
A Consultant Epidemiologist for PHW stated in the release that “Infection can be caught from direct contact with animals or touching things that have animal faeces (poo) on them.” The bugs can survive on clothes, shoes and (for example) pram wheels for quite some time said Christopher Williams.
The risks of contracting illnesses from animal contact can be reduced by following appropriate safety advice and, in particular, washing hands well at key times. And the hygiene alert also points out another key fact – that gels and wipes cannot be relied upon because they are largely ineffective against the type of illnesses that can be contracted.
“Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after touching animals, after touching boots or clothing, and before eating or drinking. Alcohol based hand gels do not provide sufficient cleaning. Always use soap and warm water.”
It’s also important to monitor children to make sure that they wash properly, says the guidance.
“Supervise children closely to ensure they wash their hands properly and avoid close contact with the animals.”
So if you’re an outdoor education co-ordinator for a preschool or nursery, do make sure that suitable hand washing facilities are available at any attraction before booking it – and make sure that washing facilities are also suitable for the younger children in your group.
Open farm visitors reminded to take safety precautions when visiting farms »
A boy being taught to wash his hands outdoors with a KiddiSynk
FREE EYFS downloads for preschool, nursery »
“Parents should also encourage their children to wash their hands by showing them how to do it, to help ensure this becomes a lifelong habit.”
Chief Nursing Officer, Scotland.
Teach children effective hand washing techniques with mobile sinks that can go anywhere – indoors or out
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, (top) 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.
