- Is your child picking up more than the ABC’s in school? While you’re packing your child’s backpack with the pencils, notebooks and tools they’ll need for a great school year, don’t forget the supplies they’ll need to stay healthy and germ-free, too.
With nearly 22 million school days lost each year due to the common cold and flu (CDC) and as many as 2.7 million bacterial found per square inch on common school surfaces (NSF International), it’s no wonder that 82 percent of parents with kids in grades K-5 fret about the germs in their children’s classrooms (according to a survey conducted by Seventh Generation).
This school year, Seventh Generation is sharing tips from best-selling author and pediatrician, Dr. Alan Greene, to help parents protect their child’s health during back-to-school season. Dr. Greene suggests taking the following precautions:
Optimize the immune system
Reap the benefits of probiotics like those found in yogurt. A recent study showed that children who received enough probiotics daily throughout the cold and flu season had a significant reduction in the number of illnesses they had and, when they did get sick, the symptoms were both milder and didn't last as long.
Be sure your child is getting plenty of vitamin D from the sun, from food, or from a supplement.
Build a strong foundation. Good food, good sleep, and good physical activity all help the immune system to flourish.
Be wise about reducing unnecessary exposure to harmful germs
Teach children the key times to clean their hands in the classroom. The most important times include after sneezing, coughing or using the restroom, upon leaving "high-risk" places (recess, naptime, play stations) and before meals or snacks.
Sixty percent of teachers surveyed said that they request that parents donate disinfecting wipes to the classroom. Seventh Generation’s disinfecting wipes kill 99.99% of germs* naturally using the active ingredient thyme, a component of thyme oil which is derived from the herb thyme.
Stress the importance of not touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Demonstrate to your children how to cover their mouth and nose for every cough and sneeze. This simple maneuver has spectacular results in decreasing the spread of viruses and bacteria floating about the room, waiting to be inhaled.
*Refer to disinfecting product labels for full details.
History of Germs (video courtesy of Seventh Generation)
I recently was sent a “Back-to-School” kit that included the following eco-friendly products courtesy of Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark:
First, it came as no surprise to me, but as soon as it arrived, my daughter quickly claimed the backpack as her own. She cracks me up with all of her bags. I have had the chance to try the Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes and the disinfecting spray. They both work just fine for me. I use the wipes for a quick clean-up of a spill or a small section of my counter and spray when I am cleaning more of the counter or a bigger mess. The wipes are fairly comparable to other disinfecting wipes; if anything, they might be a bit more "sudsy" than others, but that's not anything that concerns me or is an issue. The facial tissues, which are made from 100% recycled paper, are a little less soft than I like. They work fine for run of the mill nose blowing and wiping, but I think they could be a little irritating if you were in the throes of a cold and were repeatedly wiping and blowing your nose.
Giveaway:
One A Busy Mom of Two readers will win a “Back-to-School” kit that includes a Seventh Generation backpack, two canisters of Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes (one for home and one to donate to your child’s classroom), disinfecting multi-surface spray cleaner, facial tissue and paper towels.
To enter: Leave a comment sharing your tip for keeping your kids healthy and germ-free.
Additional Entries (leave a comment for each additional entry)
Giveaway will remain open until September 7th at 6pm and is open to residents of US only. Winner will be selected using Random.org random number generator. The winner will be contacted by e-mail (Please make sure that your email address is either in your comment or clearly visible on your profile or blog) and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be selected.
About Seventh Generation
Seventh Generation is committed to becoming the world's most trusted brand of authentic, safe, and environmentally-responsible products for a healthy home. For information on Seventh Generation cleaning, paper, baby and feminine personal care products, to find store locations, and explore the company's website visit http://www.seventhgeneration.com/.
You can also check out Seventh Generation on Facebook and Twitter today! Like Seventh Generation on Facebook or follow Seventh Generation on Twitter to keep up with the latest news from Seventh Generation.
P.S. You can get great coupons for Seventh Generations products by clicking here and joining the Seventh Generation Nation.
No compensation was received for this post. The opinions expressed are all my own. I received the Back to School Gift Pack for my personal usage, so that I might share my experience with you. An additional gift pack was also provided for the give away. Product and information are courtesy of Seventh Generation through MyBlogSpark.
68 comments:
I follow Seventh Generation on Twitter: (at) thabal628.
thabal628 (at) gmail (dot) com
We have the rule of separate flip flops to be worn only at home. Sandals, shoes are to be removed upon entering the house. It greatly helps us. Thanks for the giveaway :)
thabal628 (at) gmail (dot) com
I feed my kids healthy meals, daily vitamins and encourage frequent handwashing.
kerrie@mayansfamily.com
I follow seventh generation on twitter as kmayans.
kerrie@mayansfamily.com
I remind my daughter to constantly wash her hands during the day to help fight germs.
tharper31@hotmail.com
I'm an email subscriber.
tharper31@hotmail.com
I like Seventh Generation on FB.
tharper31@hotmail.com
my son takes a daily vitamin and he washes his hands a lot--plus i use plenty of cleaners. :)
marci
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com
"Like" Seventh Generation on FB :)
marci
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com
Lots of hand sanitizer and hand washing.
shakenafist@ yahoo.com
Disinfecting carts each time we use them!!!
sarahkayjordan at sbcglobal dot net
We do LOTS of hand washing and remember to sneeze/cough into our elbows.
Email subscriber
I like Seventh Generation on Facebook
Try to give our kids a multivitamin every day. And I'm trying to teach them to cover their mouths (and nose) when sneezing or coughing. I keep hand sanitizer clipped to my purse so we can use it quickly and easily.
You're on my bloglines.
I always try to wash their hands after an activity and feed them healthy.
shielaroz2002(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow Seventh Generation on twitter
ShielaScar
shielaroz2002(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like Seventh Generation about FB and I shared this giveaway information with my friends.
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted about this giveaway.
Enter to win Seventh Generation Back to School Kit. http://bit.ly/9hJ4Ci
less than 20 seconds ago via web
Delete
ShielaScar
Shiela Scarpino
shielaroz2002(at)yahoo(dot)com
Wash, wash, wash hands! Thanks for the giveaway.
reporterkc at hotmail [dot] com
Wash, wash and wash hands!!!
We wash our hands regularly...even my 10-month-old has to wash (with my help)!
amberlowmiddleton at gmail dot com
Its as simple as warm water and soap...
I don't have any tips!! We have been sick with pneumonia since the beginning of the month and son woke up sneezing. We eat healthy, wash, wash hands. Have vitamins. I am pooped!!
rbjj32825[at]lycos[dot]com
always teach them to wash their hands!
myerscathy [at] hotmail [dot] com
I don't bathe my children right before they go out to public places, but I do after they return home. I think that washing away their natural oils and protection before they are exposed to other germs is a bad idea.
hpb157@yahoo.com
I liked on Facebook! hpb157@yahoo.com
Wash hands asap from getting home from school.
I taught my children good hand washing and to use a tissue when sneezing and coughing.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I follow Seventh Generation on Twitter - Janetfaye
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I carry germx with me everywhere I go so if there isnt a bathroom she can clean and sanitize to prevent germs!
haydensmommy05@hotmail.com
I follow seventh on twitter! @haydensmommy05
haydensmommy05@hotmail.com
I subscribe by email!
haydensmommy05@hotmail.com
I try to teach the to watch their hands when they come anything that can spread germs like going to the bathroom or before eating & after. I also make them take the shoes off at the door, so they won't bring any germs in the living area.
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
following you on twitter @atlmuzikfanzinc
http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/23028360712
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
following you on twitter @atlmuzikfanzinc
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
Hand washing... especially before eating!
I am a subscriber!
liked seventh generation on Fb & shared this giveaway with my friends---Sable S
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
We keep Purell everywhere and wash hands any time we come inside! scg00387 at yahoo dot com
I follow you on twitter @desmoinesdealin scg00387 at yahoo dot com
I follow Seventh Gen on twitter @desmoinesdealin scg00387 at yahoo dot com
we wash our hands alot
lmurley2000@yahoo.com
follow and tweeted
http://twitter.com/lmurley2000/status/23159580824
lmurley2000@yahoo.com
follow SG on twitter-lmurley2000
lmurley2000@yahoo.com
email subscriber
lmurley2000@yahoo.com
like SG on facebook-lmurley2000
lmurley2000@yahoo.com
tweet
http://twitter.com/atlmuzikfanzinc/status/23176331673
atlmuzikfanzinc at gmail dot com
It is handwashing and wall, door knob and light switch washing.
I follow you on twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/ABusyMomofTwo/status/23022386836
follow seventh generation on twitter
@ape2016
i subscribe via email
Wash your hands!!!!
clarksrfun@mgail.com
wash hands, wash hands, wash hands! :-)
~eunice b
tigergal01 @gmail .com
i follow you on twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/tigergal01/status/23191196670
~tigergal01
tigergal01 @gmail .com
i follow 7th generation on twitter
~tigergal01
tigergal01 @gmail .com
Great tip my kids learned from their preschool teacher: Cough into your sleeve at the elbow or down the neck of your shirt, not into your hands. Covering a cough with your hand just puts the germs where they're easiest to spread!
Handwashing is a must, :)
florence at just writing dot net
I just found your blog through a link to this giveaway and I'm interested to keep following as you are one of the first working mom bloggers I've found.
I'd like to enter the giveaway. I love Seventh Generation products. My method of keeping my kids healthy: let them develop their immune system. I grew up in Africa and amazingly was rarely sick mostly because of God's great grace and partly because I was allowed to play freely out in the dirt!
I am a fanatic about disinfecting the kitchen and bathroom, though, and love using Seventh Generation products for that. It feels so much better for my family.
We are all about hand washing over here and not coughing and sneezing into your hands.
Chelle
newmommiez at gmail dot com
healthy eating...vitamins...clean hands...no shoes in the house...natural household cleaners too.
onlybyfaith at hotmail dot com
They have a hand sanitizer beside the soap dispenser. Thanks
We change the kids clothes as soon as they get home so at least they dont have the germs all over their clothes to spread around our house.
I keep a little bottle of hand sanitizer in my son's lunchbox so he can sanitize his hands before he eats lunch at school.
I make the kids wash and wash and wash their hands!
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted this giveaway.
twitter.com/stephenright
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