Germbusters

Like your mother always said, “wash your hands”. That's the message of Baptist Health Paducah's Germbusters who are teaching preschool and elementary school children about the importance of handwashing.

The Importance of Handwashing

Handwashing remains the single most important way of preventing the spread of infection.  It can reduce or eliminate the spread of germs by the hands.  Practicing good handwashing could eliminate trips to the doctor's office or a stay in the hospital.  In fact, effective handwashing may prevent whole families from becoming ill. Studies suggest that fecal contamination from toilet seats occur from children with diarrhea in daycares and elementary schools who spread infection to others by person-to-person contact with the hands of young children. Adults can also acquire the illness from their children. Recurrent infection is a major problem in schools and day care centers. 

Become a Germbuster

Germbusters from Baptist Health Paducah explain to preschool and elementary school age children how they come in contact with germs and how to eliminate them with good handwashing habits.  After touching items with Glo-germ, children put their hands in our Germ Box and see with a black light the "germs" on their hands and faces.

The children also take a letter home to their parents explaining what they have learned. The letter emphasizes the importance of handwashing for the entire family and encourages parents to reinforce the idea of handwashing, particularly after going to the bathroom, playing outside, and before meals or snacks.

To learn how you can be a Germbuster, read instructions below.  For information on how to bring the Germbuster program to your school, preschool, or day care center contact Baptist Health Paducah at (270)575-8444.