With many children starting their back to school transitions this month it’s a great time to discuss healthy school habits with them. NSF International studies show that most of the school surfaces your child will come into contact with harbor almost 2.7 million bacterial per square inch! Wow! This makes me realize why it is so important to teach our children ways to stay healthy and germ free once they’re back in the classroom!
Seventh Generation and author/pediatrician, Dr. Alan Greene, share some practical and easy stay-healthy tips for you and your child. (excerpts that follow taken from press release)
Optimize your immune system
- A recent study showed that children who received enough probiotics, like the ones found in yogurt, daily throughout the cold and flu season had a significant reduction in number of illnesses they had and, when they did get sick, symptoms were both milder and didn’t last as long.
- Be sure your child gets plenty of vitamin D from the sun, food or supplement.
- Build a strong foundation. Good food, good sleep, and good physical activity all help the immune system to flourish.
Teach ways to reduce unnecessary exposure to harmful germs
- Teach children the most important times to clean their hands include after sneezing, coughing or using the restroom, upon leaving “high-risk” places (recess, nap time, play stations) and before meals or snacks
- Stress the importance of not touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. D
- Show your children how to cover their mouth and nose for every cough and sneeze. This simple maneuver has spectacular results in decreasing the spread of viruses and bacteria floating about the room, waiting to be inhaled.
Help the teacher out!
- Many teachers (ours included) ask parents to send in supplies such as tissues, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizers at the beginning of the year to help stop the spread of germs. Do It!
Check out this fun video on the history of germs, It’s kid friendly!
We do all of the above suggested tips and have found that they really are easy to 
do and work. Seventh Generation products are a favorite of ours because of the natural plant derived ingredients and they are effective! The disinfectants (both wipe and spray form) can kill 99.99% of germs botanically when used a directed on product labels. This includes the Influenza A virus and Salmonella enterica!
My favorite Seventh Generation product (so far!) is the Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner. I like that I can use it on any hard surface to both clean, deodorize and disinfect! What I love about all the Seventh Generation products is the smell of fresh Lemongrass and Thyme! My home smells so bright and clean after a day of cleaning with these products, and they don’t bother my sensitive nose. I’ll be sending the box of tissues and the disinfecting wipes with my daughter on her first day of school!
Buy It! A wide variety of Seventh Generations products are available at retailers nationwide. Seventh Generation can be purchased on Amazon.com
*GIVEAWAY CLOSED*
Win It! Thanks to Seventh Generation one very lucky reader is going to win a Seventh Generation “Back-to-School” kit that includes a Seventh Generation drawstring backpack, two canisters of Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes (one for home and one to donate to your child´s classroom), disinfecting multi-surface spray cleaner, facial tissue and paper towels.
How to Enter: (mandatory) Leave me a comment sharing your favorite household cleaning tips or ways you keep your child healthy throughout the school year.
Extra Entries: (optional) Please leave a new comment, with links if applicable, for each extra entry to be counted.
- Follow A Hen’s Nest with Google Friend Connect
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- Follow @ahensnest and @SeventhGen on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (daily tweet!)
Use the retweet button or copy this tweet: #Win a Seventh Generation Back to School kit #giveaway from @SeventhGen & @ahensnest #myblogspark #backtoschool http://bit.ly/9wwXnd
- Subscribe (and confirm) to my blog via reader/email
Rules: Follow the directions above! Giveaway open to U.S. residents, 18+ only and ends August 28th, 11:59 est. Winner chosen by Random.org and must reply to email within 48 hours or I will redraw.
About the Author
we have wipes all over and clean as we go- I amnot a neat freak but when clean as you go- I would love to win this and send it to my childs class – I know things are expensive so would be a cool and welcome gift
Teach your child to cover their coughs with their upper arm, instead of their hands to prevent the spread of germs.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I try to keep my daughter healthy by making sure she gets enough sleep. She also carries a little bottle of hand sanitizer with her that she uses before eating lunch in school. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
jackievillano at gmail dot com
I follow with google friend connect
jackievillano at gmail dot com
I subscribe via email
jackievillano at gmail dot com
Ways I keep my children healthy through the school year are first by homeschooling them! That cuts down on a lot of germs!! :o) And when shopping, I always wipe down all the carts and my children and I use hand sanitizer often! :)
thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com
I follow you on GFC!
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I like Seventh Generation on Facebook and said hello! Katy Mc. Ald.
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I like a Hen's Nest on Facebook! Katy Mc. Ald.
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I follow you both on Twitter and i retweeted this giveaway! https://twitter.com/KatyLMA/status/20881932138
thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com
We try to eat healthy meals, take a daily vitamin, get plenty of sleep and wash our hands frequently.
abfantom at yahoo dot com
I follow via GFC: abfantom
abfantom at yahoo dot com
My favorite household cleaning tip: Hire a maid! LOL. Okay, seriously, mine is try to put things away when you're finished with them. That way when it's time to do the actual cleaning there isn't a bunch of stuff in the way that you have to find homes for as well as clean.
I'm a Google friend. :-)
I liked Seventh Generation on FB.
I already like you on FB. :-)
I'm following you both on Twitter. And I tweeted: http://twitter.com/Petula1968/statuses/20899069942
we stay germ free by always using Wet Ones wipes – and washing our hands all the time!
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Even with our sunny summer climate we don't seem to store D well. I've started giving my oldest a D vitamin.
following on Google Friend Connect
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I try to keep my kids healthy by stressing that they need to wash their hands as much as possible.
choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com
One of my favorite tips is how I clean my veggies & fruits. I use vinegar. I love it!
Follow on GFC.
Like Seventh Generation on facebook.
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HORTON111@AOL.COM
WASH THEIR HANDS BEFORE THEY EAT AND WHEN THEY COME INTO THE HOUSE
I have my daughter take alcohol gel to school in her backpack.
I follow you on google friend.
my fave cleaning tip is sanitizing the counters
Congratulations, Linda Lansford
You are now following A Hen's Nest
I use natural cleaning products and use wipes in the bathroom for quick touch ups.
dsoto780@yahoo.com
Washing hands all the time and keeping purell handy.
teenytig@sbcglobal.net
We have our kids sing the ABCs while they wash their hands to make sure they do a thorough job. Thanks!
mike.karr at gmail.com
I encourage my children to wash their hands often.
puzzleme2(at)gmail(dot)com
I stress to my children to always wash their hands before they eat!
felecia@twinoaksfl.org
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I always send hand sanitizer with my son to school.
mframe00@yahoo.com
I always send hand sanitizer with my son to school.
mframe00@yahoo.com
GFC blog follower
mframe00@yahoo.com
we use alot of clorox
lmurley2000@yahoo.com
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like SG on facebook-lmurley2000
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We try to wash our hands often and keep our immune systems up by eating well and sleeping enough.
I follow through Google Friend Connect.
I'm a facebook fan of Seventh Generation under username Jennie Tilson. Left comment.
I'm a facebook fan of A Hen's Nest under username Jennie Tilson.
I'm an e-mail subscriber.
We have a hand-me-down system for our cleaning supplies. For instance, a scrubber might start off for the dishes and when it gets a little worn it then gets used on cupboards or walls as it wears even more it then moves onto floors or outside. Thanks for the contest.
Following @ahensnest and @SeventhGen on Twitter and tweeted about the contest. @rowellowl
One of my favorite cleaning tips came from flylady.net – set a timer for 15 minutes, work in one area as much as you can for those 15 minutes, then break. You'll be surprised at how much actually can get done in 15-minute increments without wiping you out!
knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com
washing hands a lot is a big! and washing hands when they get home from school.
Wash hands a lot and make sure to eat well and get enough rest.
katiekarr at gmail dot com
I leave a spray bottle of cleanser at the sink and am constantly using.
http://twitter.com/misaacmom/status/21199906495
I drink a glass of lemonade (I have a lemon tree) every day and try to have my daughter do the same. It really helps NOT catch/spread colds!
sksweeps (at) earthlink (dot) net
I encourage my son to wash his hands frequently and I can always tell when he is because he's not getting sick. :)
misusedinnocence@aol.com
I follow on gfc :)
misusedinnocence@aol.com
White Vinegar is cheap and easy for many cleaning projects: Hard Water on Glasses, Floors, Stains….
For most cleaning needs, vinegar and baking soda works great! Sprinkle baking soda around the inside of the toilet, spray with vinegar and scrub.
jencardenas@hotmail.com
I clean as it needs– making sure washing hands is a priority will save a ton, too!
–Brandy
fosterbrandy(at)msn(dot)com
I am a firm believer in proper handwashing!
Megan
meganleighadams at yahoo dot com
I follow via GFC!
Megan
meganleighadams at yahoo dot com
I encourage lots of handwashing and changing of hand towels frequently.
My favorite tip is that things should be neatened every day (mail opened and handled, laundry folded and put away) because if somebody stops by, they probably won't notice some dust in the corner of the bathroom floor, but they will certainly notice the sink full of dirty dishes.
Thanks for the chance to win!
–Liza
ejm6x (at) yahoo (dot) com
I teach third grade, and this would be a great addition to my classroom! The way I encourage my kids to stay healthy (and stay green!) is give them rules for washing their hands so that the water doesn't run too long or that they don't use too many paper towels. The rules are posted right above the sink, they are bright and colorful, and having them there also encourages and reminds my kids to wash their hands after using the bathroom.
katherine.loiry@gmail.com
I taught my kids the importance of hand washing and NOT touching their faces. Love Seventh Generation products!
Washing hands often and keeping wipes handy to clean surfaces!
stephcrs339 at gmail dot com
I'm a follower via GFC
stephcrs339 at gmail dot com
Encouraging my little girl to wash her hands or use hand sanitizer is the easiest way to try to keep her healthy.
hrracer@verizon.net
My favorite cleaning tip is to wipe down doorknobs and lightswitches frequently.
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm a seventh generation FB Fan~ Jennifer L.
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm a FB Fan~ Jennifer L.
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com
Networked Blog follower Jennifer L.
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i use apple cider vinegar too clean just about anything!
elkmeese at yahoo dot com
I am a follower on google friend connect.
elkmeese at yahoo dot com
We do little bits of cleaning all the time that way we never have 1 big cleaning day
Cleaning tip: focus on one room a day so that it never seems like you have to clean the whole house.
Health tip: we take our shoes off at the door to try and keep the pollen out of the house for all of us allergy-sufferers. :)
Love Seventh Generation!! Thanks for the giveaway!
We make sure to have our kids wash their hands and use sanitizer while away from a hand washing facility. readysetwin at gmail dot com
Follow on gfc.
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Liked A Hen's Nest on fb
(Candace Ready Set Win)
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I have the best tip for laundry and dish cleaning. I MAKE HUBBY DO IT!!!! lol
I figure its only fair sense I get the bathroom!!!
sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com
I am a follower
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I am a twitter follower
sarahsblogoffun
sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com
I am an email subscriber
sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com
My sure they eat healthy, take vitamins, get to bead early enough, and wash their hands a lot.
lazybones344 at gmail dot com
Public GFC follower
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I follow Seventh Generation on Twitter: lazybones344
First and foremost, I always give my children their vitamins in the morning. It helps keep their immunity strong and healthy.
I also carry a small travel size spray bottle {that I bought from Walmart for about under $1} in my purse that I fill with Clorox Hard Surface Spray. I spray it on shopping carts, my spinning bike at the gym, and I even use it to spray on my children's hands whenever we are done at a store or with school. Clorox Hard Surface spray is gentle on the skin and safe to have around your children. Plus, it's nice and convenient to always have a cleaning spray right at your finger tips!
my_frugal_lifestyle@yahoo.com
I'm your newest follower via GFC.
my_frugal_lifestyle@yahoo.com
I'm following YOU and Seventh Generation on Twitter! I tweeted about this giveaway too! Thanks for having such a great giveaway!
my_frugal_lifestyle@yahoo.com
twitter.com/FrugalLifestyle
wash your hands!!!!! and reinforcing the need to keep your stuff organzied and clean. great giveaway!! thanks!
We wash our hands frequently, eat a balanced diet, and make sure to wipe surfaces that are frequently touched (door knobs, faucets, toilets) down with antibacterial wipes.
we disinfect backpacks after school
addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com
I tweeted today!http://twitter.com/Petula1968/statuses/21939446736
I follow on GFC as jewelknits!
knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com
follow both & tweeted
aechika at hotmail dot com
I like to clean with chemical free cleaners as much as possible and we teach the kids to wash their hands frequently and to cover their nose when sneezing
aechika at hotmail dot com
I follow via gfc: BabeeLove
aechika at hotmail dot com
I subscribe via reader/rss
aechika at hotmail dot com
My tip is to do a little bit of cleaning every day so that you never have a big job ahead of you.
katfam95 at aim dot com
keep cleaning supplies near frequently needed areas
11newmom at gmail dot com
email subscriber
11newmom at gmail dot com
I think teaching kids how to properly wash their hands and to get them in the habit of washing them frequently really helps in keeping them healthy. We also keep disinfectant wipes on hand to clean frequently handled objects such as the phone, doorknobs, faucets, keyboards, etc.
luckycat1818(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow with google friend connect as luckycat1818.
luckycat1818(at)yahoo(dot)com
I got little holders for the small hand sanitizers and they clip them (and use them) on their bags for easy access :)
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Janice MacEachern Crespo
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I just do a little every day so it doesn’t pile up and get too overwhelming.
My favorite cleaning tips is to divide the house into 5 areas and then just do one area each day of the week so you know that each room is getting throughly cleaned and disinfected at least once a week.
I follow your blog as degood with google friend connect.
I subscribe to your blog’s rss feed thru google reader.
we use anitbacterial soap and keep things wiped down with antibacterial wipes.
We keep wipes under every sink.
following you on both twitter at rosidentevil
have pets?
Cover pillows and mattresses with dustmite covers, which are also resistant to hairs getting stuck to them
Following publicly as Louis on Google Friends Connect
I like Seventh Generation on FaceBook (Louis Here) :)
I like your blog on FaceBook (Louis Here) :)
I subscribed to your feed via google reader
Disinfecting wipes are so easy to use, they leave you with no excuse not to de-germ all frequently used surfaces. I’m sure to always have some on hand!
btownmeggy at hotmail dot com
We keep healthy throughout the year by disinfecting doorknobs, handles, etc throughout the house.
i give her vitamins everyday
joretta933@roadrunner.com
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Like Seventh Generation on Facebook
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Like A Hen’s Nest on Facebook / Networked Blogs
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Follow @ahensnest and @SeventhGen
joretta933@roadrunner.com
Follow @ahensnest and @SeventhGen
joretta933@roadrunner.com
We clean up after every meal, wash our hands, use hand sanitizer and watch what type of cleaners we buy as some are just too toxic to be cleaners in my opinion.
clc_little_britches @ yahoo dot com
Hi, I keep my child as healthy as I can by keeping the house clean, making sure we wash his hands often – and my own. We wash to the happy birthday song – as I learned in school that you need to wash your hand for specific amount of time in the pathology section of anatamy and physiology. And I skip the flu shots and so we all skipped the flu and rarely have colds – knock wood. Oh and try to keep his diet balanced and his intestines healthy – the most interesting thing we learned in class was that your intestines are the basis to the immune system – if they’re not healthy – you’re not healthy. :)
i make sure he takes vitamins
tweeted
I keep my kids healthy by teaching them good hand washing habits. They wash their hands when they come home from school and before any meals and after they use the bathroom.
THANKS
I follow on GFC as Mac Mom
I liked Seventh Generation on FB and commented on their wall.
We wash our hands often and use disinfecting wipes
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Lately I’ve been making an effort to make my own cleaning supplies out of natural products such as baking soda, tea tree oil, and vinegar.
Here’s my tweet: http://twitter.com/prizealert/status/22369374238
I keep condiment packages in ziploc bags keeping them organized and easy to find
I follow you on Google Friend Connect (Angela Livingston)
mrsrogerlivingston@gmail.com
I subscribe to your email
mrsrogerlivingston@gmail.com
Make sure to clean items like remotes and doorknobs to cut down on germs..
Thanks for the giveaway…rule #1 for our kids when returning from school or playing outdoors is to remove their shoes at the door, and head directly to the sink to wash their hands: helps keep the house clean(er) and controls the amount of germs & virus they have on their hands !
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i sprinkle baking soda on my carpets to absorb pet odors :)
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I use sanitizer on surfaces to cut down on germs. Things are not allowed out and on the floors. Dirty clothes has to be put in the hamper. I use natural cleaning products.
We stay healthy by utilizing frequent handwashing and cleaning surfaces that are touched by multiple people. We also eat a healthy diet with plenty of Vit C. Thanks.
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Follower GFC
We keep the house clean by keeping things simple, not many harsh chemicals. We keep the kids healthy by not letting them eat too much sugar and try and get as many vegetables in their diet as possible, even if it means hiding them!
Clean a little everyday so it’s not overwhelming.