With schools set to reopen in August, parents, and teachers across Ohio are wondering how to protect children from the COVID-19 virus. While children do seem less likely to get seriously ill, they can still bring the virus home, potentially exposing their family members or vulnerable siblings. Proper social distancing, wearing masks, and biohazard cleanup services are all essential parts of keeping your school as safe as possible.

The Top Precautions for Safely Reopening Schools

1. Minimize Contact

Some schools may elect to partially reopen, allowing students to attend some classes in person while completing other lessons online. Your school may decide to rotate students through on a weekly schedule or have them come in on alternate days. Because the COVID-19 virus spreads more readily indoors, children should continue learning online whenever possible.

2. Have Students Wash Hands

The coronavirus spreads through respiratory droplets, which can spread to a child’s hands if they cough or touch their face. Students should be taught to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds on a regular basis. Parents should also consider sending their kids to school with their own supplies of hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.

3. Enforce Mask Wearing

Cloth face coverings can dramatically reduce the risk of infection if social distancing isn’t possible. Before sending your student off to school, be sure they have a mask and know how to wear it properly. Schools should also offer face coverings to students who might forget or lose their own.

4. Be Mindful of Social Distancing

Current research suggests most respiratory droplets only travel approximately six feet, so keep students apart as much as possible. This may not always be possible in the hallways but minimizing contact will also reduce the risk of transmission.

5. Disinfect Regularly

According to the CDC, the virus can live for several hours on an infected surface. High-contact surfaces like doorknobs, stair railings, and supplies should be disinfected at least once per day. This can be a major challenge in a large school, so you may want to consider hiring a biohazard cleanup contractor to take care of this labor-intensive project.

As a locally owned business, Rumpke Restoration is committed to providing high-quality biohazard cleanup services to schools throughout Loveland, Milford, West Chester, Mason, Amelia, Batavia, Anderson, New Richmond, Northside, Hamilton, Fairfield, Springfield, Dayton, OH; Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Highland, Warren counties; Union, Montgomery, and Symmes Townships; and the Village of Indian Hill. In addition to cleaning and disinfecting, they also offer comprehensive disaster recovery services, with everything they need to help you recover from a fire, flood, or mold infestation. Visit their website to learn more about their biohazard cleanup services or call (513) 760-5501.