‘Hands up’ to stop the spread of colds and flu in schools

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is helping primary schools across the North West to teach children that good hand hygiene can stop the spread of coughs, colds and even swine flu.

‘Hands up for Max’ is a hand washing school resource produced by the HPA and over 3,500 copies have been requested for primary schools across the region.

Professor Qutub Syed, Director of the HPA in the North West region said: “Washing your hands properly is one of the most important things you can do to reduce the spread of infections like coughs, colds, norovirus and the flu. Young children are at particular risk of contracting and transmitting these sorts of illnesses.”

The pack features an animated character called Max and was designed in discussion with teachers, pupils and school nurses. The pack links in with the school curriculum areas (Key Stages 1 & 2): PSHE and Science and Art and Design through short lesson plans, animation and an art competition.

Professor Syed added: “Good hygiene practice in schools can reduce the spread of illness, with hand hygiene an important part of this. Hands up for Max will help to develop hygiene habits in childhood and we hope will influence behaviour in the long term.”

Heather Hardy, Healthy Schools Coordinator for the North West region said, “This resource will be very useful for all schools across the North West to promote good hand hygiene and we’re delighted so many schools have requested packs. We think this will be a fun and engaging way for schools to help get the message across how important hand washing is and help us improve hygiene.”