Sue Jezewski, RN, BSN, manager of Infection Control/Employee Health for Clearfield Hospital, left, teaches Sabinah Wilson, 5, of DuBois, the correct way to wash her hands. Sabinah is the niece of Clearfield Hospital employee Dawn Aughenbaugh.

Children, especially those in preschool and grade school, are particularly vulnerable to picking up germs that cause illness because they share toys, books, crayons and scissors. Some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces.

"It doesn't take long for one child's sniffles to be passed to several others. Good hand washing is the first line of defense," Ms. Jezewski said.

Hand washing is especially important after coughing or nose blowing, after using the bathroom, after touching animals, before food preparation and eating, and before and after being in contact with a sick relative or friend.

Ms. Jezewski said the best way to wash hands is as follows:

Wet hands in warm, running water.

Lather well with soap. Rub hands vigorously for 15-20 seconds, about as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday." Scrub all surfaces (back of hands, wrists, between fingers, under nails).

Rinse well. Dry hands with a clean towel. In a public restroom, leave the water running, dry hands, and then turn off the faucet using a paper towel instead of bare hands.

When soap and water aren't readily available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers work well, and can easily be placed in a child's backpack or desk.

In addition to good hand hygiene, Ms. Jezewski said it's important for children to keep their immune systems strong by getting plenty of sleep, engaging in physical activity, drinking lots of water and eating healthy foods.