Auburntown Students Visit Germ City



Auburntown Students Visit Germ City

Ms. Tracy Hollandsworth’s Kindergarten class at Auburntown School visits Germ City.
Could a visit to Germ City help you stay healthy?

Auburntown students recently had the opportunity to visit UT Extension TNCEP's "Germ City". The Germ City program is as an educational tool to increase awareness and promote meaningful changes in hand washing behaviors for safe food handling and health.

The focal point of the Germ City Program is a large, walk-through tunnel equipped with black lights. Youth and adults apply a black light sensitive lotion, and enter the tunnel, seeing pretend germs on their hands. After initial observation, participants wash their hands normally, re-visit Germ City, and assess their effectiveness. It is a “hands-on” experience. Everyone has an opportunity to learn about the importance of frequent, effective hand washing and see immediate results.

Hand-washing is one of the best ways to keep from getting sick and spreading illness. Cleaning your hands gets rid of germs you pick up from other people, the surfaces you touch, and from the animals you come in contact with.

When to Wash:

• Before eating.

• Before, during, and after handling or preparing food.

• After contact with body fluids.

• After using the bathroom.

• More often when someone in your home is sick.

How to Wash:

• Wet you hands and apply liquid, bar, or powder soap.

• Rub hands together vigorously to lather and scrub all surfaces.

• Continue for 20 seconds! It takes that long for the soap and scrubbing action to dislodge and remove stubborn germs. Sing the “Happy Birthday” song all the way through twice and use that as a timer.

• Rinse hands well under running water.

• Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer.

• If possible, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet.

For more information about this program, contact Erin Nichols, TNCEP Program Assistant at 563-2554.