SIMPLE TIPS FOR A HEALTHY SCHOOL YEAR

You’ve bought all the required school supplies. The lunchbox is loaded with healthy choices. And the kids are sporting new haircuts and shoes.

Still, before you take your children to the bus stop, it’s important to check one more box.

“One of the most important things you can do as a parent is protect your kids’ health, especially when they go back to school,” said Dr. Stephen Prescott, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation president.

Here are three simple tips for keeping your children healthy this school year.

All hands on deck

Kids touch a lot of surfaces that are also home to bacteria and viruses. While they can’t avoid every germ, it’s important your kids know to wash their hands whenever possible, especially before eating. “It’s normal to see outbreaks of common illnesses around back-to-school time, and the lack of basic hygiene is a big reason why,” Prescott said. Soap and water provide the best kind of clean, but hand sanitizers can serve as a good substitute between washings. “There’s no reason to be a germaphobe, but little precautions can go a long way,” Prescott said.

Snooze at home, not in classroom

Kids have been dozing off in class for as long as there have been schools. So it comes as little surprise that kids need a lot of sleep — about eight to nine hours. Sleep is an underappreciated component of good health and success in school, Prescott said. “Lack of sleep can cause concentration issues, bad moods and decreased immunity, among other health problems.” Not only will those hours of shuteye add up to better grades, the immunity boost will result in more healthy days in the classroom.

Time to immunize

“Vaccines are, without a doubt, one of the two or three greatest advances in medicine ever,” Prescott said. And, he said, careful studies have debunked myths that they cause autism or other dangers. “The concerns about their safety are unfounded.”

While children need basic immunizations just to enter school, Prescott strongly encourages parents to have their children immunized against influenza each year.

“Put simply, the annual flu shot is the No. 1 thing you can do for your kids to help them have a healthy school year,” he said.

Ryan Stewart is media relations coordinator for the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

[AP FILE PHOTO] Getting a flu shot is one of the most important things to do for a healthy school year.

[PHOTO PROVIDED] When heading back to school, it’s important to frequently wash hands, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientists advise. Soap and water is best, but sanitizers can be a good substitute between washings.

[THINKSTOCK PHOTO] Kids need eight to nine hours of sleep daily — and it’s better to get that at home than during class.