• The average child in pre-school and primary school misses 4.3 days of school as a result of colds and flu each year
• For children who always wipe their nose on hands and clothing, this figure increases to six days of school missed annually
• 82 per cent of parents believe that their children pick up most of the germs that can cause colds or flu at school or pre-school
• Just 7 per cent of pre-school children carry tissues with them every day or most days
• Only 12 per cent of children in kindergarten – year 3 carry tissues with them every day or most days

Viruses such as colds and flu are spread by germs that are too small for us to see.
Cold symptoms such as runny noses, coughs and sneezes spread cold germs into the air. If these germs are breathed in by another person then they may become infected with the virus and ‘catch the cold’. Germs are also spread by hand-to-face contact and by people touching objects that can be infected and by one wiping his nose on his hand.

Germs spread very easily, so how can we stop them?
An easy way to help counteract the spread of viruses is by using tissues correctly.

Tissues should be used in the following ways:

• For blowing a runny nose (not wiping)
• For covering the nose and mouth when sneezing
• For covering the mouth when coughing

It is also very important that used tissues are thrown away immediately and that you then wash your hands or the virus could still be spread by touch. Tissues are more hygienic than handkerchiefs and should be carried at all times by people who have a virus.

There are a number of ways to teach children the Sneezesafe® program at home and reinforce what children have learnt at school to help your child use a tissue correctly and learn good respiratory hygiene habits for life:

1) Ensure that there are always tissues handy around the house.

2) Send your child to school with a pack of pocket pack tissues. These are small compact packs that fit in       your child’s school bag. It’s also useful to have tissues in coat pockets and lunch boxes. Make sure you       check regularly that any used tissues are removed from these places.

3) Encourage your child to cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue and blow their nose properly: help     them to practise this, ensuring that they blow their nose and don't just wipe it, that both nostrils are fully       covered with an opened-out tissue and if possible that their mouth is closed.

4) Remind your child to throw away used tissues and to wash hands after nose-blowing or                                 coughing/sneezing into a tissue. Show your child how to wash his/her hands properly using soap.

5) Talk about the Sneezesafe® program and ask your child what they know about colds and cold germs.             Explain how viruses are too small to see and can spread easily through the air and touch. It is also               worth pointing out that how flu can make some people very ill indeed.