8 THE COURIER SUN • HEALTH • SEPTEMBER 4, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com health Stop the spread of cold and fl u viruses this school year A new school year is starting and as many parents know, kids are likely to bring home more than their homework at some point. Many catch cold and fl u viruses from their classmates, which can then spread to other family members at home. When kids are sick, they miss out on valuable learning experiences and social interactions in the classroom. On average, elementary school children get eight to 12 colds or cases of the fl u each school year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For the older kids, it is about half that. That’s why it’s important that parents, teachers and kids work together to stop the spread of germs in the classroom. Everyone can follow these simple steps to help prevent the spread of germs that can cause cold and fl u viruses this school year: Get vaccinated: Getting a yearly fl u vaccine is the fi rst and most important step in fl u prevention. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a fl u vaccine each year to protect against the fl u virus. Stay home when sick: If possible, keep kids home from school when they are sick to help prevent teachers and classmates from catching their illness. Sing and scrub: Make sure kids wash their hands the right way. They should wash frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). Do the elbow cough: Teach kids to cough into elbows, not hands, since hands are more likely to spread bacteria and viruses through touch. Disinfect germ hot spots: The CDC recommends disinfecting frequently touched surfaces or objects when someone is ill. In the classroom teachers can use a disinfectant approved to kill cold and fl u viruses on desks, computer mice and doorknobs. “Creating a healthier learning environment starts with small actions that add up to a big impact,” says Dr. Howell Wechsler, CEO of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a nonprofi t organization dedicated to helping children thrive. “Parents play an important role and can lend a hand to teachers by reinforcing healthy lessons at home and donating useful items like tissues, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.” To provide teachers with the resources they need to help stop the spread of germs in the classroom, the Clorox Company is partnering with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation for “Canisters for Classrooms.” For every parent that takes the “Canisters for Classrooms” pledge, Clorox will donate a canister of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to a school in need and $1 to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, which creates healthier learning environments in more than 18,000 schools, reaching 11 million students across the country. To take the pledge and learn ways to help keep your family healthier this school year, visit www. CloroxClassrooms.com. Parents that take the pledge will also receive a coupon, so that they can donate disinfecting wipes and make a difference in their child’s classroom, too. Courtesy BPT Yoga for the Fabulous 50s and Beyond! Meets Every Tuesday . 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30 Session #1 | 11 am . Session #2 | 12 noon Susan Ingraham, Certified Yoga Instructor | Sign up for one class or many. Sign up today! Registration needed. George T. Douris Tower, 27-40 Hoyt Avenue South 2nd Floor Exercise Room, Astoria, 11102 Blood Pressure Screening Wednesday, 10:30 am – 12 noon Happy Seniors Northwest Astoria Immaculate Conception Church 21-47 29th Street, Astoria, 11105 Support Group for Stroke Survivors and Caregivers Tuesday, 5 pm Ingrid Hardin, LMSW | Nadia Murphy, LMSW | Tara Roche, RN, MS, CNRN, SCRN | Could you use some support with the challenges of stroke recovery for yourself or someone you love? Join our group to help increase independence and enhance your quality of life. Stroke Support Group, 23-34 30th Avenue 6th Floor Conference Room, Astoria, NY 11102 M O U N T S I N A I Q U E E N S Free Health & Wellness Events Blood Pressure Screening Wednesday, 9 – 10:30 am Catherine Sheridan Senior Center 35-24 83rd Street, Jackson Heights, 11372 The ABCs of Missing Vitamins Friday, 9:30 am Christopher Clemens, MD, FAAP | Get full access to the expertise of our pediatrician. It’s your opportunity to ask any questions or address any concerns you may have about your child. Registration suggested. Astoria Blue Feather Head Start 27-07 8th Street, Astoria, 11102 Prana Yoga for Busy People Meets Tuesday, 6:30 pm 9/23 and 9/30 09 23 Susan Ingraham, Certified Yoga Instructor | Sign up for one class or many. Registration needed. George T. Douris Tower, 27-40 Hoyt Avenue South 2nd Floor Exercise Room, Astoria, 11102 Community CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Training Class Tuesday, 6:30 pm David Weissman, EMT; Michael Koenke, EMT | This CPR class is designed for the general public and teaches core skills of CPR: chest compressions, proper breathing, and examining signs of circulation. This class is not for certification. Registration needed. Church of the Redeemer 30-14 Crescent Street, Astoria, 11102 Call 718-267-4333 to register for events and screenings. 09 09 09 16 09 30 September 09 10 09 17 See a complete listing of upcoming events at www.mshq.org/events 09 19SEPTEMBER 2014 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 FREE Yoga Classes FREE Blood Pressure Screening FREE Health & Wellness Events FREE Support Group
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