Germ Hot Spots in Schools
Germs on kids’ hands mean germs on the water faucets — the same ones children are using to get their hands clean. Past research has found that the cold water handle has even more germs than the hot one — something to keep in mind. The most germ-free bathrooms are the ones with no-touch faucets, no-touch paper towel dispensers and automatic toilets. In most cases, no-touch means fewer germs. Take a few moments to teach your child how to get clean while steering clear of handles that could harbor germs and bacteria. If your child has to touch the water faucet handle after washing, she can use her elbow or a paper towel to turn the water off. A paper towel can also come in handy when opening the bathroom door. The door handle can also harbor germs.
Image courtesy of Zurijeta | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Robert Byron | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Monkey Business Images | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Andreykuzmin | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Infokus408 | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Saap585 | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Constantin Opris | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Pavla Zakova | Dreamstime.com Image courtesy of Jorge Salcedo | Dreamstime.com The Public Health and Safety Organization, "Germiest Places at Schools" Mayo Clinic, "Germs: Understand and protect against bacteria, viruses and infection" National Education Association, "Eeek! There’s a germ on my desk!" KidsHealth, "Why Do I Need to Wash My Hands?" UMass, "Did You Know? How to Avoid Restroom Germs" California State Science Fair, "Computer Keyboard Hygiene: What Lurks Between the Keys?"