It’s that time of the year again. It’s back to school season.
The weird summer that 2020 brought us has come and gone, and now we’re all trying to figure out how to handle our new normal inside and outside of closed doors. While many establishments remain closed, schools around the country have started opening their doors once again.
But this time, things are different.
Hand Sanitizers are Here to Stay
With various safety precautions in place and the ever-present concerns about the coronavirus, schools are experimenting with alternatives to assuage fears. One of the best, tried-and-true alternatives has proved to be hand sanitizers. Since the start of COVID-19, they have played a big part in helping to prevent the spread of the virus and have now become an absolute must.
If you’re wondering whether your children should use hand sanitizer while at school, the answer is yes. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the perfect solution for the times when soap and water are not readily available. They should contain at least 60% alcohol, which should never include methanol. It’s important to note that using hand sanitizer on children under the age of 5 is best done with adult supervision to avoid any accidental ingestion of the product.
Many schools recommend that students bring their own personal bottle of hand sanitizer with them to school. But don’t worry, most schools will provide their own as well.
The Best Hand Sanitizer for School
For a hand sanitizer that is both CDC and WHO-compliant as well as manufactured in FDA-certified facilities here in the US, look no further. The team here at palmpalm has created the perfect hand sanitizers for your little ones to stay safe while in school. The compact size of our 6oz liquid hand sanitizer spray and 2oz travel size hand sanitizers make them ideal for carrying around in school bags or backpacks. We have something for the teachers, staff, and administrators as well, such as our 8oz gel hand sanitizer and 500mL gel hand sanitizer.
The palmpalm family contains either 70 or 80% alcohol, well above the minimum necessary for effectively killing germs. Additionally, the products come with a fresh cucumber melon scent or come unscented according to your preferences. Another big plus is that the formula dries clear, leaving no residue. This works well for students and faculty who are typically on school grounds for at least 8 hours five days a week.
Good Hand Hygiene Practices
One thing you may not think about is the fact that people often touch their face without realizing it. A push of your glasses up your nose, a swipe of your hair away from your eyes, a scratch at an itch you had near your mouth.
This now has even more serious implications since COVID-19 can easily get into the body through one’s nose, mouth, and eyes. That’s why children and adults alike can benefit from sanitizing or washing their hands regularly to avoid getting sick. It would also help to minimize touching your face throughout the day, especially after having touched multiple surfaces.
Remember that hand sanitizers are most effective when your hands are not visibly greasy or dirty. For situations where your hands are visibly dirty, such as after playing outside or eating, washing your hands with soap and water is the best course of action. In general, everyone in the school should make it a habit to wash their hands more often during the school day.
Strategic placement will help with adherence to good hand hygiene practices. Position hand sanitizers near frequently touched surfaces such as doors and water fountains or in areas that are far from bathrooms like cafeterias and gyms. It may even help to post visual cues in highly visible areas around the building, such as posters showing how to properly use hand sanitizer or fact sheets promoting hand hygiene.
For more helpful information on what to do for school re-openings and back to school seasons 2020, check out the CDC’s page for school and child care program guidelines.