Todays post about teaching children when and where to practice good hand hygiene is sponsored by the awesome people at Mom It Forward and the advertiser PURELL. All opinions on this topic, as well as thoughts about the PURELL Advanced 30-Day Challenge is 100% my own.
It’s that time of year, back-to-school, and soon cold and flu season will be in full swing. This year you can help prevent the spreading of germs, which can get you and your family sick. Do your kids good hand hygiene – when to wash their hands, and when they are not able to wash their hands to use a hand sanitizing with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, like PURELL®? Speaking of PURELL, they have the PURELL Advanced 30-Day Challenge (ends sept 14th) going on, and you might remember our post last month letting you know we were taking the challenge. I’m gong to tell you all about it toward the end of the post, but have to say it was a great way to make teaching the kids hand hygiene fun! Knowing when to wash their hands, and use alcohol based hand sanitizer is an easy and important way to help reduce spreading of germs that can cause infection.
Important Places To Practice Good Hand Hygiene
Here are a few places you and your children should practice good hand hygiene. We realize there is many more, so be sure and learn as much as possible about hand hygiene.
Restaurants – Think about all the people who have touched the menus before you. While the tablets, plates, silverware, and maybe even the seats are washed, I have yet to see a restaurant menu get cleaned with something that will kill the germs.
Door handles – YUCK, sure most people wash their hands before leaving the restroom, but there are some who don’t. YUCK and what about all the other door handles you come in contact with?
Grocery carts – Another item that we tend to forget has hands all over it all day long, and I read on Purell.com, “A University of Arizona study revealed that the handles of almost two-thirds of tested shopping carts were contaminated with fecal bacteria. In fact, the bacterial count on the typical supermarket cart handle exceeded that of the average public restroom.”
Airports and Airplanes – I have done a lot of traveling, and wow airports are filled with people 24 hours a day. As far as the planes go, they might get cleaned, but I have not seen it, and if I don’t see something being cleaned I’m going to assume I need to wash my hands or use PURELL®, especially during cold and flu season.
Doctor office – It’s filled with sick people all day. Need I say more?
Shaking hands – I was raised to shake hands when you meet someone, and I will do it because it’s a respect thing. I don’t think I could bring myself to pull my hand away or explain why I don’t want to shake someone’s hand. This is yet another reasons I keep PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer in my handbag, after I shake a little squirty squirt and I’m good to go.
Back-to-school – Don’t forget back-to-school too! Kids are going back-to-school, don’t forget to give them the tools they need to help prevent spreading gems at school.
Playground – Kids love recess, whether they go outside, or hang out inside it’s fun, and they come in contact with all sorts of germs while they are playing. Be sure your children have PURELL® Advanced JELLY WRAP in their either gym locker, or backpack so they can take a break for good personal hygiene for their hands.
Locker room – Much like recess, gym is fun for kids, but they come in contact with all sorts of germs while they are having a healthy break from the classroom, be sure they have
After class activities – During classroom activates children tend to share items – scissors, papers, rulers, etc. You can toss a bottle of PURELL® Advanced JELLY WRAP in their school box or bag so they remember to use it after they are done with projects.
School Bus – Just think about all the germs on the school bus. Kids are excited because school is out, and they can have fun on the bus. Riding the bus is a big deal for younger kids, and giving them the tools and confidence to fight germs and spruce up their key chain, backpacks, or gym bags with a fun, colorful PURELL® Advanced JELLY WRAP will help protect them from the germs, and they can even give one to their bus friend and the bus driver too. Kids can help promote a healthy school year too.
Play Dates – If you’re like me you have some in school, and some home with you. Which means, we still have fun playdates, and with old and new friends comes germs. Whether you are hosting a playdate, or sending your child to a friend’s house it’s important they have the tools to practice good hand hygiene. Who knows they might end up teaching friends that personal hygiene matters for your hands too. If they leave without you, be sure to remind them about washing hands, and using PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer when they are not able to wash their hands. Hook it on their overnight bag so they can see it, and don’t forget to use it.
In the classroom – You might remember our last post where we told you we were taking the PURELL® Advanced 30-Day Challenge. Well, it’s been 30 days and I couldn’t be happier with the results, and the timing is perfect. Right before the kids head back to school, they have developed good hand hygiene routines. Even my youngest daughter, Mattie has done a good job. Of course, she wants to use it ALL THE TIME, and I cannot give her a bottle of her own, because it would be gone in less than an hour lol.
On the Field or On the Court – Playing sports is fun, and kids can learn a lot playing sports or taking part afterschool activities, but they can also end up with yucky germs. Be sure they PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer for when they are finished.
At home – There are even times when it’s good to wash hands or use PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer while you are at home. Be sure your kids know when and how to practice Good Hand Hygiene at home too – after touching something others have, when siblings are not feeling well, friends are over, come in from playing with friends outside, holding animals, cleaning, using the restroom, etc. We would love to think our homes are clean, but those nasty germs are everywhere and the best thing we can do is protect ourselves, and do everything we can to help reduce spreading gems to others in our house, classroom, work, school, airports, restaurants, etc.
On the Go – As parents we are always on the go – store, running kids around, work, and anything else that comes our way. I love having PURELL® Advanced Jelly Wrap hooked on the zipper inside my handbag, it’s easy to reach, and a great way for me to show my children I too practice good hand hygiene. In addition, being mom means I don’t get sick days. Whether you go to work, or stay home with the kids it’s a rare day that mom can stay in bed. Keep yourself well, and anything you cannot wash use PURELL® Hand Sanitizer.
We only have a few days left in our PURELL Advanced 30-Day Challenge, and it’s helped make something that’s no too much fun, and make it fun for the family.
My husband and I have also improved our hand hygiene routine, but I am going to be honest my 7-year-old daughter Vayda is the best when it comes to using PURELL® when she cannot wash her hands. The first day of school her teacher even told me she used Vayda has an example, because she uses her hand sanitizer at the right times.
Good Hand Hygiene is important, especially with the kids heading back to school. I plan to keep PURELL® around, and continuing to encourage good hand hygiene with the kids to help keep my kids healthy.
Teachers be sure to visit Purell.com for hand hygiene education tools, like: Hand Hygiene Poster, Lesson Plans, Supply List Download, Information on how to earn free PURELL® for your school, coupons for you, and so much more.
Whether it’s at home, work or school good hand hygiene is important, and can help keep you feeling better. PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer has convenient pump bottles for your desk, kitchen, or anywhere else you need them. They have awesome on-the-go possibilities too, from Refreshing Sanitizing Wipes to awesome refreshing Gel JELLY WRAP™ Carriers, which are perfect backpacks, key chains, diaper bags, purses, gym bags, and more.
PURELL Advanced 30-Day Challenge
Without a doubt doing the PURELL Advanced 30-Day Challenge helped my family get better at washing hands, and using PURELL hand sanitizer when we are not able to wash. The challenge was a fun way for the family to develop healthy habits. It’s not only been my kids, but my husband and I to. Vayda is definitely the best at remembering, she reminds everyone, which is great I am very proud of her. Mattie, my youngest also does a great job, but she would also use 2 bottles of PURELL hand sanitizer a day if I let her.
I’m excited because I know we will continue to improve our hand washing hygiene. However, I do see how it’s became more of a habit for all of us, for the most part I don’t think any of us think twice about washing our hands or using PURELL hand sanitizer. The first 2 weeks we all reminded one another, but we are good at it now.
PURELL® Advanced 30-Day Challenge Prizes – There will be 63 daily winners, who will win PURELL Advanced products, 8 Weekly winners who will receive $100 Visa Gift Card, and (30) grand prize winner, who will receive a Healthy Family Prize Pack, which will include a variety of fun, healthy habit-forming gifts! You still have time to sign up, but you better hurry becasue the PURELL® Advanced 30-Day Challenge ends on September 14th to join the fun.
Wondering how to get kids to wash their hands and keep them clean? Try the PURELL Advanced 30-Day Challenge, you still have time. To learn more about the challenge be sure and visit PURELL on Facebook or visit the PURELL website here to register for the promotion! There is some cool prizes and the challenge runs until September 14th so there is still plenty of fun to be had, as well as a chance to help develop some good hand hygiene habits for your family.
