School cleaning methods to prevent flu

School cleaning method to fight Influenza, also known as the flu, is a serious illness respiratory tract. Unlike a harmless cold, this one is caused by influenza viruses. In the cold months in winter, in particular, this infection occurs more frequently every year.

Since influenza viruses are constantly changing and are highly contagious, it is particularly important to use cleaning methods in public facilities that ensure reliable prevention of influenza in schools.

In community facilities where numerous children and adults come together every day, hygiene must be of particular importance. Easily transmissible influenza diseases should be effectively prevented and infections should be detected at an early stage. This is the only way to prevent or at least curb a rapid spread.

Find out in our current blog post what you need to consider when cleaning schools and which precautionary measures are suitable to reduce the risk of catching the flu.

To prevent the flu in schools, you should first know the symptoms of the disease!

The responsible body and headmaster are responsible for ensuring that the school is cleaned in a hygienically flawless manner and that this is carried out regularly.

In order to prevent the virus from spreading rapidly, school management and all employees should recognize the symptoms as early as possible and take certain measures if the disease occurs.

The following symptoms are typical of influenza:

• Sudden fever and sore throat

• Dry cough

• Severe muscle, limb, and headaches

• Sudden back pain

• A course of 5 to 7 days

• Existing risk of infection up to one week after the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease

Note the key role of hygiene plans in schools!

Communal disinfection facilities must comply with hygiene plans. However, there are no legal requirements for the creation of these plans.

Hygiene is therefore subject to the discretion of the respective school facility. A risk assessment targeted hygiene management, and clear responsibilities must be defined in line with the hygiene plans.

The hygiene plan should be checked annually to ensure it is up to date. Compliance with all hygienic measures is routinely carried out at school at regular intervals and is also documented in writing. The hygiene plan must be accessible and visible to all employees.

Our tip: Talk to your cleaning company about the details of the hygiene plan. An experienced service provider knows what is important when creating and implementing all hygiene measures according to plan. In addition, a cleaning service has the know-how about the use and correct dosing of disinfectants. Here, too, the best possible disinfection can only be achieved through responsible use.

Hygiene requirements at the respective location and the school building

The school not only has to meet the building law requirements in the respective federal state, the accident prevention regulations, the workplace ordinance, and the fire protection regulations, but also all hygienic requirements for construction, surface design, and equipment of individual rooms such as:

• Group room

• Sanitary rooms

• Wardrobe

• Hoard

• Business and staff rooms

• Kitchen

• Dining rooms

Satisfy. Here, continuous structural maintenance and renovation is a necessary prerequisites for any effective cleaning and disinfection and thus also for the prevention of influenza in schools.

Cleaning and disinfecting floors and surfaces to prevent influenza

First of all, all floors and surfaces must be cleaned regularly. This includes, for example, damp cleaning and regular vacuuming of carpets.

So-called dirt carry-over should be avoided with these cleaning methods. Experienced cleaning companies, for example, rely on the two-bucket method or the use of industrial cleaning equipment.

We must not wipe again the surfaces while the special disinfectants are taking effect. After successful disinfection, an experienced cleaning team ensures that we supply the rooms with fresh air.

The rhythm of school cleaning should be based on the respective type and intensity of use.

The following overview provides valuable information on cleaning methods for floors and surfaces:

• Development of cleaning and disinfection plans as well as a clearly visible notice in the school building

• regular damp cleaning except for textile floor coverings

• School cleaning of textile coverings with devices including micro or absolute filters and twice-a-year spray extraction method

• With all cleaning methods, we must prevent dirt entrainment

• Cleaning measures are usually to be carried out in the absence of the children

• We must wear suitable protective clothing during disinfection work

• We must process all reusable cleaning utensils such as a mop after use, ie by washing them at least 60°C or alternatively soaking them in a disinfectant solution

• Devices and agents for cleaning and disinfection are to be kept in a suitable place and protected from access by children

• During the exposure time of the disinfectant solutions, the surfaces must not be wiped dry or wiped afterward

• After disinfection, we require suitable ventilation

Thorough washing and disinfecting of hands

Not only the thorough disinfection of floors and surfaces but also the regular cleaning of hands serves to prevent the flu in schools. School management and staff encourage the students to wash their hands thoroughly again and again.

Rely on education and try to draw attention to the need to wash hands and all the associated advantages in class and with the help of notices in the school building.

Flu protection–valuable tips for emergencies

If a wave of influenza gets rolling, it can make sense to provide additional dispensers with disinfectant for hands in the school building at central and easily accessible locations. Besides washing their hands thoroughly, students and teachers can actively reduce the risk of transmission from person to person.

Inform your cleaning service provider about the flu cases. This person can take additional disinfection measures during cleaning. Daily professional cleaning of door handles and other heavily frequented areas with disinfectants can be helpful here.

In addition, explicitly point out existing influenza diseases on a notice in a clearly visible place. In this way, teachers, students, and parents are made aware of the subject and can correctly interpret symptoms at an early stage or take their own preventive measures.

For example, the inter-school immediate measure of not shaking hands as long as there is an acute risk of influenza can contribute to this. This prevents infection from touching the hands.

Explain to parents and students that sick people are not allowed to come to school in order to specifically prevent further spread. Flu patients should stay away from school until the illness has subsided and there is no longer a risk of infection for classmates.

Effective prevention of flu in schools! With the help of our cleaning methods and valuable tips for school cleaning, you as a headmaster or employee can take targeted action against the spread of influenza viruses. Good preparation and the development and meticulous implementation of hygiene plans are crucial.headteacher