How to Keep Kids Healthy At School

Veronica: As kids start heading back to school, parents are prepared to face with another year of homework, making lunches and battling germs. Hi I am Veronica from Watchmojo.com and today we are learning everything there is to keeping our kids healthy at school. So the parent and the families who have children in school, have cold throughout the year, more time from families who don't, why is this? Kelly Schwarcz: That's because all the children are exposed to many viruses and germs in the school system. It can either be airborne, from not coughing into your arm or from not clean surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, but being exposed to germs help boost their immune system, therefore they won't be missing a much school by the end of year. Veronica: Hand washing is very important when it comes to stopping the spreading of germs but how often does your child wash their hands? Kelly Schwarcz: Before and after meals, after your sneeze or cough, after you use the toilet. Vanessa Martin: And after being outside so we would suggest that whenever they come in with the parents, that they should always wash the hands to stop the germs. Veronica: And is there a proper way to washing your hands? Kelly Schwarcz: Wet your hands, put soap on your hands and create lots of bubbles, wash them between your fingers on the tops of your hand, not to forget your wrists. You are supposed to rinse properly and turn off the water and then dry your hands properly with paper towel. Veronica: If your child comes down with the cold, can they still go to school? Kelly Schwarcz: As long as the child has enough energy to participate, it also depends if he has fever or not. Vanessa Martin: The child is supposed to be fever-free really and even with medication, they are not supposed go. Veronica: How are schools like this on preparing themselves for the each one on one possible outbreak? Kelly Schwarcz: Knowing the preventions and symptoms definitely hand-washing and sanitizer, also what some older schools are doing such as universities and colleges is implementing what's call the Body system. So if you were to fall sick that you would somebody to be able to take care of you. Veronica: Now lice is also a very common for school children. How do you stop the spreading of lice? Kelly Schwarcz: The only way to avoid is not to share hats, and not to share any kind of combs or brushes and they also like very clean hair. It's a myth that they only like dirty hair. Veronica: Now you hear about a lot of schools banding peanuts in lunches. How important is that you consider these allergies when you are packing your child's lunch? Kelly Schwarcz: Definitely all the teachers and lunch monitor should be aware of the allergy. They should also know how to use an EPIPen and the child should be shown also how to use the EPIPen and they should also try not to share any food with other children. Here it's a completely peanut free environment, so whatever that they bring cannot contain any nuts. Vanessa Martin: The parents, though know then they are not supposed to do that but obviously we have to check and then if it sounds it might have peanuts in it, then we discard it anyway just to be in the safe side of caution. Veronica: Well thank you very much. We really learned a lot. Kelly Schwarcz: Thank you very much.