Hand
Sanitization
R.I. Department of Health
and
R.I. Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important
steps we can take to avoid getting sick and
spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your
hands with soap and clean running water for 20
seconds. However, if soap and clean water are not
available, use an alcohol-based product to
clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs
significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and
are fast acting.
When washing hands with soap
and water: |
-
Wet your hands with clean
running water and apply soap. Use warm
water if it is available.
-
Rub hands together to
make a lather and scrub all surfaces,
including the fingers.
-
Continue rubbing hands
for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine
singing "Happy Birthday" twice through
to a friend!
-
Rinse hands well under
running water
-
Dry your hands using a
paper towel or air dryer. If possible,
use your paper towel to turn off the
faucet
|
|
Remember:
If soap and water are not
available, use alcohol-based gel to clean
hands. |
When using an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer:
|
-
Apply product to the palm
of one hand
-
Rub hands together
-
Rub the product over all
surfaces of hands and fingers until
hands are dry.
|
When should you wash your
hands? |
-
Before preparing or
eating food
-
After going to the
bathroom
-
After changing diapers or
cleaning up a child who has gone to the
bathroom
-
Before and after
tending to someone who is sick
-
After blowing your nose,
coughing, or sneezing
-
After handling an animal
or animal waste
-
After handling garbage
-
Before and after treating
a cut or wound
|
In order to
minimize the spread of infectious diseases among our
schoolchildren, the HEALTH Director of the
Commissioner of Education mandate that as soon as
possible hand-sanitizing gel and appropriate
dispensers be placed in every classroom and all
other rooms in which students may congregate, such
as libraries and lunchrooms, in all public and
nonpublic schools in Rhode Island. Effective:
January 8, 2007
David R.
Gifford, M.D., MPH, Director
Peter McWalters, Commissioner
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When to Keep Your Child Home Due to Respiratory
Illness
R.I. Department of Health
and
R.I. Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education
Mild illnesses
are very common during the school year; however,
there are very few illnesses that mandate exclusion
from participation in school. The case of a
contagious respiratory infection is one of these
illnesses. In cases of respiratory infection,
children should stay home from school or childcare
until the fever is gone and they feel well enough to
attend.
Children with
respiratory illnesses should be excluded from school
when:
1. The illness
severity prevents the child from participating in
school activities.
2. Fever
[Temperature greater than 101 degrees orally],
excessive sleepiness, difficulty breathing,
persistent cough or other signs suggesting severe
illness is present.
Given the
recent identification of increased cases of
respiratory illness, parents are urged to err on the
side of caution when deciding to send their children
to school when they are exhibiting signs of
respiratory illness. If your child exhibits any of
these symptoms at school, be prepared to have the
school nurse contact you to take your child home.
Parents should contact their own child’s physician
if they have specific questions regarding which
illness a child has, whether their child fits the
criteria for school exclusion, and management of any
underlying or complicating situations.
Sources:
The Pediatric Group (Princeton, N.J.), the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The
American Academy of Pediatrics and the R.I.
Department of Health
David R.
Gifford, M.D., MPH, Director
Peter McWalters, Commissioner
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