Reduce Spread of Germs in the Classroom

Steps to Minimize Students' Flu Exposure at School

Aug 13, 2009

The threat of flu has many worried about exposure at school. There are some precautions teachers can take in the classroom to limit students' exposure to flu germs.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States recently released updated resources about Swine Flu, or H1N1, for schools. They place a strong emphasis on preventative measures to reduce the spread of the flu germs. Since students spend most of their time in a classroom, keeping the classroom clean and educating students about germs are important steps in minimizing students' exposure to the flu and reducing the spread of germs in general.

What Teachers Can do in the Classroom

Perhaps the most important way teachers can reduce the spread of germs in the classroom is through cleaning. Most schools have a custodial staff that will sweep or vacuum the room and do other general maintenance activities, but cleaning for health reasons should take place throughout the school day.

A bottle of diluted cleaning or disinfectant solution and paper towels are simple tools to keep available. Use the solution to spray down desks between classes or when students have left for a while. Wipe dry with a paper towel. Use cleaning wipes instead if these are available.

Keep a can of disinfectant spray available for smaller items. Door knobs, staplers, pencil sharpeners and other frequently used handles can quickly become a source for multiplying germs.

Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer available. Encourage students to use it after sneezing or blowing their nose, even if they sneeze into a tissue or the crook of their arm. Remind them to use an amount the size of a quarter; seems like a lot, but encourages them to spread it over the back of the hands and between fingers.

Educate students about germs. Contact a local fire, EMS or ambulance service and find out if they have an education officer who can speak to the class, or turn it into a science lesson.

Getting Students and Parents Involved

Teachers should get students and parents involved. Students can be encouraged to use hand sanitizer and taught effective ways to limit the spread of germs. Students can also be asked to help with cleaning desks both during and after school. Parents and families can be asked to send in cleaning supplies to assist with keeping the classroom clean. Also, send home information about healthy habits for flu seasons, either through a classroom newsletter or through a homework extension of a classroom lesson.

Taking a few precautionary cleaning steps both before and during flu season can make it easier to minimize both the spread of and exposure to flu germs. Incorporating this into a lesson about germs and getting parents and families involved through cleaning supply donations and homework can educate all about how to stay healthy.

How Hands Spread Germs contains a great an activity to do with your class about the spread of germs.

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