Handwashing and Nose blowing with Karyn

Karyn Cardno the Public Health Nurse came in today to answer parent questions, and talk to the children about handwashing and noseblowing.

It's important to wash your hands properly, and to take your time while washing them.

Karyn suggested to help us take our time that we have a handwashing song.

My favourite (to the tune of happy birthday) is.

I'm washing my hands

to make them all clean

I don't want my ihu (nose)

all snotty and green.

Karyn also talked to us about sneezing into your elbow when you need to sneeze.

Then she talked to us about how to blow your nose. Remember to bin those used tissues, not just pocket them.

Thanks Karyn

Extras

Here's a link to a poster (word format) on how to wash your hands.
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/~/media/MinEdu/Files/EducationSectors/Schools/PandemicPlanning/7HealthAndHygiene/HowtoWashYourHands1.doc

This is the one we have up on the walls, you might like to print it for home.

A question, when do you think you need to wash your hands? The poster lists ten occasions, one for each digit on both hands. Have a think then check on the poster to see if you got them all.

Also if you're planning overseas travel you might want to check

http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/

As well if you're interested in swine flu read up on it at

http://www.moh.govt.nz/influenza-a-h1n1

Finally my thoughts

While everyone describes swine flu as mild in most cases, but likely to infect a lot more people than seasonal flu, at home you might want to think about having enough food put aside that if you can't get to the shops for some reason for a week you will still have enough. Also think about how much sick and annual leave you have accumlated. If it's not much, do you need to put enough money aside so that if you can't get into work for a week or two because of school and worksite closures you'll have enough. Also if you do get a bad case, do you know who to contact to get help for you and have you arranged emergency back up care for your children?

These are all things to think about.

David