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Wash Your Hands for Health and Safety
Wash Your Hands for Health and Safety

Handwashing with soap and water is one of the simplest, most effective ways to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy. Keeping hands clean can help prevent diarrheal illnesses and respiratory infections, such as the common cold or flu. 

Each year on October 15, CDC works with global partners and colleagues to highlight Global Handwashing Day and raise awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap and water. 

Why it's important 

Handwashing with soap and water is one of the simplest, most effective ways to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy. Keeping hands clean can help prevent diarrheal illnesses and respiratory infections, such as the common cold or flu. 

Handwashing in communities 

Many germs that can make people sick are spread when we don't wash our hands with soap and clean, running water. That is why handwashing is so important, especially at key times such as after using the bathroom, when preparing food, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. 

Handwashing with soap and water is simple and inexpensive, and it can significantly reduce the number of young children who get sick. Teaching people about handwashing helps them and their communities stay healthy. Studies show that handwashing education in the community can: 

· Reduce the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by about 23%–40% 

· Reduce the number of school days children missed because of gastrointestinal illness by 29%–57% 

· Reduce diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems by about 58% 

· Reduce respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by about 16%–21%

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Cold Weather Safety
Cold Weather Safety

Cold weather safety recommendations from Nurse Dana.

To keep school-age children safe in cold weather, ensure they wear multiple layers, including a water-resistant coat, hat, mittens, and insulated boots. Limit outdoor play in temperatures below -15°F (-26°C), ensure they stay dry, and check for signs of frostbite like white patches on skin. 

Essential Clothing & Gear

  • Layer Up: Use three layers—a moisture-wicking base layer, insulating middle layer (fleece/wool), and waterproof outer layer.
  • Cover Extremities: Hats are essential to prevent heat loss, with mittens providing more warmth than gloves.
  • Safe Gear: Remove dangling scarves and drawstrings from clothing to prevent choking hazards.
  • Visible Clothing: Choose bright or reflective colors so children are visible to drivers. 

Outdoor Safety & Play

  • Time Limits: Set reasonable time limits for playing outside and have children come inside for regular, quick warm-up breaks.
  • Dry Clothes: Immediately replace any clothing that becomes wet from snow or sweat.
  • Avoid Hypothermia: Watch for symptoms like intense shivering, lethargy, or confusion.
  • Safe Snow Structures: Supervise the building of snow forts or tunnels to prevent collapse and suffocation, ensuring they have an exit.
  • Ice Safety: Only allow skating on approved, thick frozen surfaces. 

Traveling & Health

  • Car Seat Safety: Do not put children in thick, puffy winter coats under a car seat harness; it causes a loose, unsafe fit. Instead, place the coat or a blanket over them after buckling.
  • Hydration & Sunscreen: Children get dehydrated in the cold, so encourage water consumption. Use sunscreen, as snow reflects UV rays. 
Popular Browser Extension May Compromise Data
Popular Browser Extension May Compromise Data

Another wave of malicious browser extensions capable of tracking user activity and compromising privacy have been found

  1. Malicious browser extensions capable of tracking user activity have been found across Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
  2. The campaign, known as GhostPoster, plants malicious code in add-on logos.
  3. If you have one of the 17 extensions identified, delete it ASAP.

 

Click here for more information.

NASN Statement on Required School Vaccinations
NASN Statement on Required School Vaccinations

The CDC has changed recommendations for school vaccinations to which NASN has responded.

Please click here for the statement issued by the President and the CEO of the National Association of School Nurses.

 

This is in response to changes put forth by the CDC in January 2026.