The NEA HIN Flu Fighting Challenge – Tip#4
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NEA HIN’s Flu Fighting Challenge is a month-long campaign to encourage educators to share fast facts with students, parents, and colleagues, about how to stay healthy. Check every Tuesday during the month of October for updates: Tip #2: Washing your hands will cut your risk of getting a respiratory illness by 21%. |
Did you know that germs and viruses can only live on surfaces for 2-8 hours?
Cleaning and disinfecting is part of a broad approach to help prevent the spread of infectious disease including the flu. Proper cleaning and disinfecting can remove or kill germs on surfaces and help slow the spread of the flu or other diseases by reducing the chances of people ever coming in contact with germs.
It’s important to understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting.
- Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects lowering their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Cleaning works by using soap or detergent and water (good old fashion elbow grease) to physically remove germs from surfaces.
- Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects, thus lowering the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects.
In this week’s tip for NEA HIN’s Flu Fighting Challenge, we will highlight what you need to know about cleaning and disinfecting to help prevent the spread of flu.
Here’s this week’s Flu Fighting Tips:
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often such as desks, doorknobs, computer keyboards, phones, and hands-on learning items.
- Flu viruses are fragile so standard cleaning and disinfecting practices are enough to remove or kill the flu virus. Special processes like wiping down walls and fumigating is not recommended as they can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin; aggravate asthma; and cause other serious side effects.
- Always read and follow the directions on product labels when using cleaners and disinfectants. Be sure that you are wearing the recommended personal protective equipment (usually gloves and eye protection) and pay close attention to hazard warnings. Finally, be sure you are using an EPA-registered disinfectant.
- RESOURCE:
NEA HIN’s Flu Fighting Challenge is a month-long campaign to encourage educators to share fast facts with students, parents, and colleagues, about how to stay healthy. Check every Tuesday during the month of October for updates. Check here for more flu-fighting information.
America’s Safe Schools Week: Is Your School Prepared for a Crisis or Emergency?
Is your school prepared for an emergency?
During America’s Safe Schools Week (October 20-26), NEA HIN will highlight resources and key components of emergency management that can help your school be prepared to adroitly manage emergencies and to provide needed supports to students, educators, and the school community..
There is new knowledge and resources about school safety, so this is a good time to take stock and review the key elements of effective emergency management plans that help improve the safety of your school.
- Using the NEA HIN Crisis Guide and a new resource from the U.S. Department of Education and other federal agencies, we’ll highlight key elements components of emergency management
- We’ll combine the principles of emergency management with thought provoking questions to get you thinking about your school’s emergency management plan and how it is similar, different, and can be improved.
In addition, we want to hear from you. Send us your questions, tips, or suggestions about safe schools and emergency management, and we’ll share your ideas in our blog.
Everyone has a role to play in keeping students and schools safe, and NEA HIN is committed to supporting the efforts of you and your colleagues.