The Top 6 Germiest Spots in Schools

As children head back to school, they enter a world full of learning opportunities — and germs. Schools, with their dense population and shared spaces, are breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. Identifying the germiest places in school can help parents and teachers take preventative measures to keep kids healthier.

Bathroom Doors

Contrary to popular belief, the bathroom itself is not the germiest spot in a school. Bathrooms are cleaned regularly, but the doors tell a different story. Not all students wash their hands properly, leaving germs on door handles for the next person to pick up.

Cafeteria Trays

Cafeteria trays are a hidden germ haven. They are rarely wiped down between meals, allowing bacteria from various foods and hands to accumulate. Kids should use hand sanitizer after handling trays to avoid getting sick.

Desks

Desks are where students spend most of their day, making them prime real estate for germs. Coughs, sneezes, and other bodily fluids end up on desktops, which students then touch and bring home to their families. Teaching your kids to cover their mouths when they sneeze and cough and to frequently wash their hands will help lessen the number of germs that are spread.

Art and Classroom Supplies

Shared supplies like paintbrushes, markers, and scissors in art classes, along with classroom items such as pencils and books, are common germ carriers. These items are not cleaned regularly and are passed from one student to another, spreading germs throughout the classroom. Expressing the importance of handwashing to kids is essential in reducing the spread of germs.

Sports and Playground Equipment

Sports equipment, especially helmets, can be a vector for lice and germs. Similarly, playground equipment like monkey bars and slides are touched by many hands, making them hotspots for spreading microorganisms. Suggesting to your kids that they wash their hands after playing on the playground equipment will help mitigate the spread of germs.

Drinking Fountains

Drinking fountains are often the germiest place in a school. Kids frequently put their mouths on the spout, which is rarely disinfected, making it a prime spot for bacteria and viruses. Teaching your kids to let the water run out of the fountain for a couple seconds before taking a drink, and to never actually touch the spigot with their mouth, will help minimize their chances of getting sick and spreading germs.

Understanding where germs thrive in schools can help teachers and kids prevent illness. By focusing on high-risk areas like bathroom doors, cafeteria trays, desks, shared supplies, sports equipment, and drinking fountains, we can better protect our children from the wave of back-to-school sickness.

References: Top 8 germiest places in school | School Germs: Top 5 Germiest Places at Schools