What to Do About the 6 Germiest Spots in School

6 Germiest Spots in School and What to Do
The first day of school is go-time for parents, but it’s also go-time for germs. Parents can’t afford to be slowed down by hurdles like the common cold and flu.

While you can’t be there every step of the way to clear germs, especially when your child is at school, you can take a few steps to minimize germ exposure and prep your little ones to maintain good hygiene habits. Clorox believes the possibilities are endless when you start clean.

Here are some of the germiest spots in school. Below, you’ll also find tips on how to deal with them.

Shared school supplies
With so many little fingers grabbing at them, it’s no surprise that shared classroom supplies are a germ hotspot. 

Consider equipping your child with their own personal set of supplies, and spray them regularly with Clorox® Disinfecting Mist, which, when used as directed, disinfects hard nonporous surfaces like pencil cases and binders, and even sanitizes soft surfaces, like backpacks and shoes.

If personal school supplies aren’t an option due to budget constraints or classroom rules, consider talking with your child’s teacher about setting up a hand sanitizer station in class. 

The difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting
Cleaning removes dust, debris, and dirt from a surface but doesn’t necessarily get rid of germs.
Sanitizing decreases amounts of bacteria according to a product’s label but doesn’t necessarily eliminate it.
Disinfecting destroys or inactivates both bacteria and viruses identified by a product’s label, specifically on hard, nonporous surfaces.  
Was this helpful?

Water fountains
Hydrating is crucial for people of all ages, especially kids. Fluid intake is vital for regulating digestion and body temperature. Having access to a water source at school is essential, but fountains can be a haven for germs. 

In fact, one 2017 study that looked at the presence of bacteria in school drinking fountains found that 89 out of 110 samples were positive for bacterial growth, including E. coli and Salmonella. 

Regularly disinfecting fountains can help prevent bacterial contamination, but as a parent, it’s impossible to keep tabs on school cleanliness from afar.

Consider equipping your child with their own personal water bottle — there are many fun, kid-friendly designs to choose from. It might even encourage them to hydrate more regularly. 

And for times when they forget their bottle at home or it’s otherwise inaccessible, teach them the following proper drinking fountain technique:

Wait a few seconds before drinking and let the water run.
Avoid putting your mouth directly on the spout.
Wash your hands after using the fountain. 
You may also consider suggesting touchless or sensor-activated fountains to the school administration. 

Surfaces like doorknobs and desks
The doorknobs in your home are germ hoarders, and school knobs and handles are no exception. While you can’t physically clean and disinfect all the surfaces your child touches throughout the day, you can teach them about the importance of regular handwashing. 

And handwashing lessons don’t have to be boring. Make it a game, or turn it into a song to get kids in the habit of washing hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. Happy Birthday or the ABCs are a great place to start!

For times when it’s not possible to leave a room to wash their hands, teach your child to avoid touching their face, mouth, or eyes after coming into contact with surfaces like desks and door handles. 

Or consider supplying your child’s teacher with easy-to-use Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes — teachers’ #1 wipe*.

*Based on IRI Panel unit sales among teachers as head of household, 52 weeks ending 04-23-2023


Cafeteria 
Naturally, anywhere where kids are eating food can become a germ station. To help keep your kid from catching viruses or ingesting tummy bug-causing bacteria, make sure to reinforce the importance of washing their hands before and after eating.

It’s also a good idea to discourage the sharing of utensils. You can also minimize your child’s use of potentially dirty cafeteria utensils and dishware by packing a healthy, nutritious lunch they can bring to school. 

Computer labs
In the computer lab, little fingers are everywhere: on mice, keyboards, and touchscreens. 

Encourage your child to avoid touching their face during and after using computer lab equipment, and make sure they know to wash their hands after lab time. 

Shared earbuds and headphones are also common spots for bacterial transmission, which may lead to ear infections. Instead of having them share, equip your child with their own headphones or earbuds for class time and regularly wipe them down when they bring them home*.

*For electronics, refer to manufacturer’s guide for cleaning and disinfecting instructions


Playgrounds and gyms
Keeping kids inside isn’t really an option, but you can limit the bacteria that enter your home by regularly cleaning clothing and other personal items that your child uses when at the playground. 

High-touch indoor play surfaces, like gym mats and other gym equipment, may also spread germs. 

To help prevent these icky bugs from getting you and your family sick, create a drop zone in or near an entryway where kids can leave their stuff for you to disinfect. 

Bottom line
Starting clean is easy at home, but knowing about potential contact your child has with germy surfaces at school can be stressful. 

You can’t be there at all hours to clean and disinfect, but with the right tools and strategies, you can help to minimize germ transmission and keep your family from getting bogged down with illness-causing bugs. 

Popular posts from this blog

Should You Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Skin Care?

Image
Apple cider vinegar ACV contains antibacterial and antifungal properties. Alamy From avocado facials to honey scrubs, reaching into your kitchen cabinet in hopes of attaining clearer, smoother skin is nothing new. But does apple cider vinegar (ACV), another superfood ingredient, deserve a spot on your bathroom vanity? If you’ve considered using this pantry staple to help treat acne or another skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, that isn’t surprising. The popularity of ACV has only grown in recent years, thanks to its reputation for healing common infections and wounds, or lowering blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, as some research shows. You should know that all those benefits haven’t been proved; long-term randomized controlled trials on the potential effects of ACV in humans are lacking, notes Harvard Medical School. (And, as UChicago Medicine points out, despite what you may have read online, ACV won’t cure cancer.) When it comes to helping you achiev...
Read more

Is There Really a Link Between Getting a Cold and Being in the Rain?

Image
Colds result from viruses, not rain. However, being wet and cold for prolonged periods may lower your immune system, making you more likely to experience an illness like a cold. Growing up, you may have heard that if you played outside in the rain, you’d be sure to catch a cold. You may wonder how truthful this witty wisdom is when making your own decisions as an adult. Do you need to avoid getting wet in the rain? Truthfully, you may actually have a greater chance of getting sick after spending a prolonged time in the rain. It’s just more complex than the old saying would make it seem. Being cold from prolonged exposure to rain outside may  lower the effectiveness  of your immune system, making you more likely to contract a cold virus, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get a cold. Shop now Can being out in the rain make you catch a cold?  Colds happen due to viruses and not rain. But a 2022 study showed that being cold — lowering your body temperature — can negat...
Read more

28 Mindful Products If You Really Want To Focus On Self Care This Year

Image
1.   These  fab cards  contain mindful challenges that you can work through day by day to reduce stress and help you feel more creative and productive. 2.   Take three minutes in the morning and three in the evening to write in this  helpful journal  and focus on what matters most to you. 3.   Fill it in with these  lead-free, biodegradable sprout pencils  which have mindful and encouraging quotes on them. When the pencils are too short to use, you can plant them and watch them grow into gorgeous plants! 4.   Check in on these  affirmation cards  throughout the day whenever you're in need of a lil' positivity boost. They look so chic, they're basically decor! 5.   This  soothing weighted blanket  mimics the sensation of a hug and uses deep pressure therapy to help you get a good night's sleep. 6.   You can use this  motivational calendar  to track your positive habits and work towards achieving you...
Read more