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Winter’s not quite over yet
With spring almost in sight, Joanne Gilliard, CEO of Jangro, reminds us that winter germs are still in circulation and offers advice on how to keep schools clean, hygienic, and healthy learning environments.
Infection control has always been important in schools. However, the most challenging time of year has traditionally been winter, where coughs, colds and flu are prevalent.
This past season has been especially challenging with not only COVID-19, but also high numbers of scarlet fever (caused by the bacteria Group A Streptococcus, aka Strep A) were added to the mix. As we edge out of winter towards spring, it is important to remember that these ‘seasonal’ viruses and illnesses continue to circulate.
Therefore, infection prevention needs to be a focus all year round, not just in the traditional 'germ seasons'. The good news is that schools are already well equipped to implement such strategies – and have been doing so since the coronavirus outbreak. However, it's important that lessons learned during the pandemic are not forgotten.
So how can schools maximise their efforts for a cleaner, healthier learning environment?
Make handwashing fun and engaging
Hand hygiene is one of the most important infection prevention strategies. In advice issued earlier this year, Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), reinforced this. She said: “Helping children to learn about the importance of good hand hygiene is key, so practice regular handwashing at home with soap and warm water.”
As well as practising at home, its importance can be reinforced in the classroom in a fun and engaging way with our innovative Jangronauts range. Jangronauts.
co.uk has a free downloadable teachers’ pack, which offers handwashing ideas to support the National Curriculum for EYFS, KS1, and KS2. There are also many free materials available to download including puzzles, stories, posters, handwashing certificates, colouring sheets, games and stickers.
In the washroom, the link between classroom learning and practical learning can be cemented by installing the
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Jangronauts range of washroom dispenser units. Designed especially for kids, the range features four handwashing heroes and informative messaging on hand soap, hand drying and toilet tissue dispensers.
Wipe away the danger
A cough here, a sneeze there: it’s all too easy for infections to spread via surfaces – even if good hand hygiene has been followed. Desks, door handles, and any other high traffic touchpoints need to be cleaned with a with a virucidal or disinfectant solution to eliminate germs. However, it can be difficult to know which product to choose, with so many on the market – all with differing claims and promises.
Our advice is to purchase from a trusted supplier, and check that it has been tested and has passed key standards, such as EN14476 and EN1276, which confirm that the product kills enveloped viruses and antibacterial efficacy, respectively.
A natural product, like the ntrl Probiotic Multi-Surface Cleaner, also makes a great choice for educational environments. Instead of killing germs with chemicals, it uses beneficial bacteria to colonise surfaces, in effect taking over the area, including deep into hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. It continues to repopulate the surfaces with ‘good’ bacteria and reduces the presence of harmful ones, long after they have been cleaned – perfect for spaces where children spend a lot of time.
Creating and maintaining a healthier learning environment is a win-win situation for all occupants of a school, resulting in lower levels of illness and absenteeism across both staff and pupils. What’s more, by teaching children about hand hygiene in an engaging manner and making the act fun rather than a chore, schools are helping to embed life skills in their pupils, which can only mean improved public health in the future.
www.jangro.net
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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