Lunch boxes, door handles, toilets, oh my! Colds and infections
often make their way into homes via the classroom. The CDC
reports that "some viruses and bacteria can live from as little
as 20 minutes and up to 2 hours or more on surfaces like
cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desks." Though proper hand
washing may keep germs at bay, parents may be surprised to learn
where in school that their children pick up germs and illnesses.
Classrooms are filled with pencils, crayons, markers, books and
other school supplies. Even the desk your child sits in can
spread germs. Teachers can help curb the spread of germs by
encouraging weekly cleaning of desktops and desk contents. In
addition, students should be encouraged to throw tissues away
after use rather than stuffing them in their desks. Studies have
found that the dirtiest thing in the classroom is often the
pencil sharpener. To avoid it, WebMD suggests that parents
should provide mechanical pencils instead. WebMD notes that the
lunchroom isn't always as sanitary