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Update 7/5/05
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Times file photo
Frequent hand washing, especially for children, is a key to avoiding illnesses, experts agree.

Washing hands key to keeping germs at bay
By Kevin Pierson
Special to The Times

As the cold and flu season approaches, the importance of proper hand washing is being reinforced in schools and daycares throughout Washington County as a way to prevent the spread of germs.

Many programs are available to help promote proper hand washing techniques. One program is Mr. Soapy, which is offered by the Washington County Extension Service, said Kathy Bartlett, of Marietta, director of Betsey’s Learning Tree at the Betsey Mills Club.

“We have a lot of things that we have to emphasize in our daily care with children. That’s one of the things we want to emphasize as a way they can stay healthy,” Bartlett said.

Local restaurants are also getting involved in promoting proper hand washing for children, as well as adults. Bob Evans Restaurant is offering free clings to place in restroom mirrors to remind people of the need to wash their hands.

“We will reach hundreds of thousands of our customers with this important safety message in our own restaurants, but we also think the message is important enough to distribute the clings to other locations,” said Bob Evans Farms Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Stewart Owens.

Children should wash their hands on many instances throughout the day, and the more frequent the better.

At Betsey’s Learning Tree, Bartlett has the children wash their hands before and after eating, after going to the restroom, and after playing on the playground.
Properly washing their hands reduces a child’s exposure to many of the illness causing bacteria.

“It helps them to avoid these problems because it is washing away the germs but it has to be done properly and many times throughout the day,” said Renea Ball, of Waterford, registered nurse for Washington, Putnam, Harmar and Phillips elementaries.

Parents can help promote the healthy habit of proper hand washing by encouraging children to wash their hands and being a role model for the child to follow.

“As a parent I stress to my kids to wash their hands all the time and I make sure they don’t eat if they haven’t washed their hands,” Ball said.