SCHOOL SAFETY RULES

A parent's safety guide for kids in school

E very single school day, parents send off their kids while not being always aware of the many dangers that await them. Aside from the risk of physical injuries, one of the most common health threats is the exposure to germs, bacteria, and food-borne illnesses that can seriously cause sickness like diarrhea, food poisoning, and even a bad flu. Generally, these illnesses are preventable if cleanliness and safe food-handling practices are followed. Below is a simple guide to teach the basics of child health and food safety and ensure that you and your family won’t become victims of preventable illnesses.

ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS

Wash your hands well with soap and warm water before and after handling food or touching dirty objects. Through regularly holding and touching objects in school such as playground equipment, art materials, school supplies, stair railings, lockers, doorknobs, and restroom facilities, kids’ hands unquestionably carry bacteria on them. So when those germs are transferred to food, these microorganisms find foodstuffs a good place to grow and multiply, which eventually end up in your kid’s guts, causing them to fall ill. Hence, remember to remind your children to wash their hands thoroughly before and after eating. A good tip to ensure that they wash their hands well is to sing the alphabet song while washing and completely rinse only when the alphabet song is done.

STOP NIBBLING ON NON- FOOD ITEMS.

Kids often put dirty non-food items and objects in their mouth while at school—gnawing on their pens, pencils, erasers, or even biting their fingernails. These can sometimes cause poisoning, or even severe bacterial exposure. Remind your kids not to nip on objects and be firm about the “no nail-biting” rule.

KEEP THEIR DESK CLEAR OF DUST AND DIRT.

Dust can trigger unforeseen allergy attacks and red eyes. Arm your kid with paper towels or wet wipes to stave off dirt on their school desk before starting their day.

ALWAYS CARRY A CLEAN HANKY.

A handkerchief can be an easy way to wipe off dirt from hands and face when water is not immediately available. You can also opt to have kids bring paper tissues. Remind them to cover their mouth and noses when they sneeze or cough to prevent spreading germs to their classmates.

KEEP HOT FOOD HOT— OR AT THE VERY LEAST, WARM.

If a food is cooked and packed for your kids, your little ones might be exposed to harmful food poisoning, especially if food is not kept warm and not eaten right away. Perishable food should never be kept at temperatures between 40°F/4°C and 140°F/60°C for more than two hours. Bacteria can grow well at these temperatures and may grow in levels that can cause illness. Use lunch bags with heat insulation to keep food warm longer than regular lunch boxes.

KEEP COLD FOOD COLD.

Cold dairy products, cold salads, lunch meats and other foods, which require refrigeration, should always be kept cold below 40°F/4°C. If they are allowed to warm up in your kid’s lunchbox, bacteria may again grow in dangerous levels. Use lunch bags with insulation to keep cold foods chilled longer.

WASH VEGGIES AND FRUITS THOROUGHLY.

If kids pack fresh veggies or fruits for their meals, ask them to wash it thoroughly before eating them or personally wash them then place them in clean, sealed containers so they won’t get exposed to harmful bacteria.

CLEAN UTENSILS,

Drill the practice of washing utensils before meals to your child to remove bacteria.