With the Coronavirus pandemic set to be around for the foreseeable future, and with case and infection numbers continuing to rise, it’s more important than ever to keep teachers, staff and children in schools as safe as possible.
Creating and maintaining a clean environment is crucial to help stop the spread of the virus. Here are our top tips for staying safe in schools
A Strict Cleaning Schedule
Schools should develop a schedule for increased routine cleaning and disinfection. This schedule should have a strong focus on cleaning frequently touched objects such as door handles, taps, light switches, desks and any other high traffic areas. Staff should clean visibly soiled surfaces immediately.
Of course, wiping down of frequently touched items should be supported by regular deep cleaning by a cleaning company like Albany. We have more than 17 years of experience cleaning schools and have the knowledge and expertise to keep your school as clean and safe as possible.
Don’t Share Items
Schools should discourage children and staff from sharing items that are difficult to clean and disinfect. If possible, children should bring their own school supplies (e.g., pens, calculators, felt tips), and staff should avoid sharing items in the canteen.
Promote Hand Hygiene
Schools must promote hand hygiene amongst teachers, staff and children as much as possible. Staff should build time into their daily routines to wash their hands and should incorporate this into their teaching time with children too. Children should be taught and reminded of the importance of washing their hands for 20 seconds, and how to wash correctly.
Posters and stickers in highly visible areas reminding everyone to wash their hands regularly serve as a perfect prompt to ensure people don’t forget.
Maintain Social Distancing
Schools should promote and carry out social distancing as much as possible. Using floor stickers and signage, introducing one way systems, and changing furniture layout are all ways to encourage this. Staff members should try to enforce this as much as they can.
Use PPE Where Necessary
Staff, teachers and pupils should use provided PPE, including face masks, wherever necessary and not become complacent. As with hand washing, signs in obvious places serve as reminders to keep wearing PPE when required.
Use Hand Sanitiser Frequently
It is not always possible for a teacher or other staff member to stop what they’re doing and wash their hands immediately after coming into contact with a child and that’s why it’s vital to keep hand sanitiser nearby and use that in times when hand washing isn’t possible.
A useful way to keep hand sanitiser always close by is by wearing a mini one attached to a lanyard. This way, it is there when needed, and its visibility can also serve as a reminder to staff to use it.
Following the above tips as much as possible will help keep your school, staff and pupils safe during these strange and turbulent times. If you’d like to speak to a cleaning company who can support your efforts, get in touch with our team today.
