The American Cleaning Institute is reaching out to custodial professionals in schools across the country, in hopes to promote healthy handwashing behaviors. To encourage the implementation of handwashing programs, ACI is urging professionals to prepare for Global Handwashing Day.
 
Handwashing with soap is the most effective and inexpensive way to prevent death for millions of children in developing countries every year. Despite its lifesaving potential, handwashing with soap is seldom practiced.
 
Even in the United States, where soap is plentiful, handwashing doesn't happen as often as it should.
 
ACI encourages custodial professionals join the handwashing movement and help raise awareness about the importance of clean hands 365 days a year and on Global Handwashing Day, celebrated annually on October 15.
 
There is a lot managers can do to improve hand hygiene and here are a few ideas and resources to help get started:
• Make handwashing a priority at your school
• Create a project, activity or campaign for Global Handwashing Day
• Download the Global Handwashing Day Poster and display it in your school and community
• Review additional Resources and share them with others
• Use your Facebook, Twitter and other networks to share handwashing messages with your school community, friends and family
 
If you do implement a program, communicate the details and successes with ACI. Sum it up in a one page summary and apply for the Healthy Schools, Healthy People, It's a SNAP national awards recognition. The deadline to apply is December 1st. Full details about the Healthy Schools, Healthy People It's a SNAP program and resources can be found online. Managers can also send an email to SNAP@cleaninginstitute.org to brag about creative projects, so that ACI can add them to their public website.