A newsletter about healthy lifestyles sponsored by REACH, your local Coordinated School Health Program.
REACH
Contributed by Sherrie Yarbro
School Health Coordinator
We would like to dedicate this month's newsletter to Connie Hall Givens, Executive Director Coordinated School Health. Click here to learn more about Connie
December 6-12, 2009 is National Hand Washing Awareness Week
Henry The Hand
Clean Hands Save Lives!
Tennessee.gov: Hand Washing
East Tennessee Children's Hospital - Hand Washing
School-Wide Hand Washing Campaigns Cut Germs, Absenteeism
HOLIDAY SAFETY ADVICE
Are you planning to decorate your house with seasonal plants? Or perhaps you plan to add artificial snow and sparkling lights to your holiday tree? Potential poisonings during the holidays can include prescription medications, lamp oil, potpourri, tree ornaments that resemble candy or other food, bubbling tree lights, artificial snow, and plants such as mistletoe and holly berry
Many poisonings occur when there is a distraction in the home, and there are plenty of those during the holidays, when families are decorating and cooking. This time of year, the Tennessee Poison Center receives several calls from parents whose child has just eaten a holiday decoration, artificial snow, poinsettia leaf, or mistletoe. Remember to "childproof" your home if you have visiting children during holidays.
For additional safety tips, visit the Tennessee Poison Control web site at www.tnpoisoncenter.org
Christmas Food Safety
Holiday Safety & Health Tips
Holiday Safety Tips (Memphis Police Dept.)
Holiday Decoration Safety Tips
Holiday Season Safety
Christmas Tree Safety Tips
Holiday Home Safety Tips
Nurse's Station
Contributed by Cindy Hogg, RN, BSN
School Nurse Director
Hand Washing Reminders
Since we are approaching the winter season, it is important to remember basic facts about staying healthy. An easy, yet neglected, way to ward off colds is through hand washing. Be sure to remind yourself, family and friends about hand washing to bring about a happy, healthy New Year.
How often should I wash my hands?
Hands should be washed often - more frequently than most people do. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand washing is especially important when:
- Preparing food.
- Before meals.
- After using the restroom.
- After touching animals or animal waste.
- When hands are dirty.
- When someone around you is ill.
The difference between cleaning and disinfecting:
Cleaning and disinfecting are two different things. Cleaning simply refers to using soap and water to remove dirt and most germs. Disinfecting, on the other hand, refers to cleaning solutions that contain ingredients that kill bacteria and other germs. Many surfaces look clean, but may be contaminated with germs. The CDC recommends the following when cleaning and/or disinfecting:
- Wear rubber gloves when cleaning up blood, vomit, or feces, and when you have cuts or abrasions on your hand that make it easy for an infection to enter the body. Even when using gloves, wash your hands after cleaning or disinfecting a surface.
- Read the directions on the cleaning product label, including the precautions.
- First, clean the surface with soap (or another cleaner)* and water.
- Second, use a disinfectant on the surface, and leave it on for a few minutes, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Third, wipe the surface dry with a paper towel, and throw the paper towel away, or use a cloth towel that is washed afterward.
- Fourth, wash your hands thoroughly, even after wearing gloves.
*Always store cleaning solutions and other household chemicals in their original containers and out of children's reach.
From Le Bonheur Community Outreach
Le Bonheur Monthly Activity Sheets
Nutrition News
Contributed by Henry Glass
Food Service Supervisor
Dreaming of a Light Christmas
Ah, the holidays. Visions of sugarplums, cookie exchanges and company parties dance in our heads. Trouble is, we often find ourselves with several post-holiday pounds dancing around our hips. Research has shown that the average person gains nearly seven pounds between Halloween and New Year's Day.
The good news? You don't have to entirely give up your holiday favorites, including delicious desserts, in order to lighten up the season. There are a few simple ways to indulge without guilt.
"It's all about making good food choices," says Lisa Stollman, M.A., R.D., C.D.E., a nutritionist in private practice in Huntington, N.Y. "It's the holidays, and you should enjoy yourself -- but there's no reason you can't eat healthfully."
Simple changes easily reduce holiday calories and stress. Modifying your traditional recipes, planning healthy options for parties, and keeping a balance in your splurges are sure to spread the holiday cheer.
Follow these quick tips to make your holidays merry and light.
- Use non-stick cooking spray to grease the pan when cooking and baking.
- Use heart-healthy margarine spreads, rather than butter or shortening, for baking.
- Use 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to replace 1 ounce of unsweetened chocolate.
- Use equal amounts of marshmallow creme in frostings to substitute for butter or margarine.
- Try finely crushed cinnamon graham crackers instead of traditional pie crusts.
- Use two egg whites instead of one whole egg when baking.
- Use equal amounts of applesauce or baby food prunes to replace oil.
- Use equal amounts of fat-free plain yogurt to replace sour cream.
From Le Bonheur Community Outreach
Character Education Monthly Focus
The character education monthly focus for December is Caring.
Please take time out of your busy day to let your students know that you genuinely care about their well-being
Caring is to be kind, helpful, and giving to others .
"The people who influence you are the people who believe in you."
~Henry Drummond (1851-1897) Banker, Politician, Religious Leader~
