Allergies are common among children. There are many different allergens with the symptoms of a reaction ranging from discomfort to a life-threatening anaphylactic shock. There are many aspects to allergy management in schools, but cleaning is playing a significant role.
The Challenge of Schools
Schools are busy places, packed with people. This means that allergens are easy to introduce, from the pet hair on one child to the lunch-box contents of another. These allergens can lurk in the upholstery, carpets and ventilation systems of the school, meaning that thorough cleaning is vital.
Prevention
A key part of allergy management in schools is preventing the build-up of allergens through effective cleaning. While no area of the school can be neglected, areas that need a particular focus are high-traffic areas like canteens, halls and classrooms.
School cleaning services need to consider what products to use, as some can contain harmful chemicals that should not be introduced to the school environment. Non-toxic cleaning products can result in a thorough cleaning and are safer. To find suppliers of the right cleaning products, use a relevant internet search. So if you are in Gloucester, you could search for ‘janitorial supplier Gloucester’ for results such as simplehygienesolutions.co.uk/janitorial-equipment-supplier-near-me/gloucester/.
As well as the cleansing products, make sure you are using effective cleaning equipment. A vacuum cleaner fitted with high-efficiency particulate air filters, also known as HEPA filters, is better at catching common allergens like pollen and dust than a standard vacuum cleaner.
Whether your school has in-house cleaning staff or if you use a cleaning agency, make sure that the cleaners are familiar with how to use cleaning as part of an allergy management system to achieve the highest standards.
Good cleaning does not mean that school staff can relax their vigilance with regard to allergies, and any symptoms in children or staff should be treated seriously. However, by using good cleaning as part of allergy management, the school can become a safer place for work and study with the chances of a serious reaction considerably reduced.