ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

School hygiene

School hygiene means taking care of cleanliness and using healthy habits to keep yourself and your environment, like your classroom or school, clean and free from germs that can make you sick. It includes things like washing your hands, covering your mouth while you sneeze or cough, cleaning up after yourself, and avoiding sharing personal items like combs or water bottles with others.

So, let's talk about some of the things you might do to keep your school clean and healthy:

1. Washing your hands: One of the easiest ways to make sure you're not transferring germs to other people or picking up germs from others is to wash your hands regularly. That means using soap and warm water to lather up your hands and scrub them for at least 20 seconds before rinsing them off and drying them with a clean towel or paper towel. You should wash your hands after using the restroom, before eating, and after sneezing or coughing.

2. Covering your mouth: Speaking of sneezing and coughing, it's important to cover your mouth and nose when you do so that you don't spread germs through the air. You can use a tissue if you have one, or if you don't, you can cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow. This prevents the germs from getting on your hands, which can then transfer them to other surfaces like doorknobs or desks.

3. Cleaning up after yourself: If you spill something or make a mess, it's important to clean it up right away so that nobody slips or falls and so that germs don't have a chance to grow. This might mean using a sponge or paper towel to wipe up a spill or throwing away your garbage in the proper bin. Keeping your own workspace neat and tidy can also help prevent the spread of germs to others.

4. Sharing items: While it's nice to share with others, it's important to remember that certain items can easily transfer germs from person to person. For example, sharing a comb or hairbrush can spread lice, and sharing a water bottle or straw can spread colds or other illnesses. It's best to avoid sharing these types of items or to make sure they're cleaned thoroughly before using them.

These are just a few examples of the things you can do to practice good school hygiene. By taking care of yourself and your environment, you can help prevent the spread of germs and keep everyone healthy!