Infection prevention in schools is often thought of as something handled behind the scenes, but in reality, it touches every part of the school day, from how children wash their hands to how classrooms are designed, to how staff and families work together to build healthy habits.
We spoke with Erica Sesky, a specialist in infection prevention with CloroxPro, to learn how schools can take simple, practical steps to reduce illness, build wellness into daily routines, and keep students and staff healthy.
Schools bring together hundreds of people in close contact, students, teachers, staff, and families, all moving through shared spaces every day. That makes them especially vulnerable to the spread of germs. Younger children may still be learning basic habits like handwashing, while older students are constantly changing classes and interacting in different environments. When we layer in flu season, cold season, or other outbreaks, you can see how quickly illness can spread.
The good news is that schools also have enormous potential to model healthy habits. Something as simple as reinforcing hand hygiene or building consistent cleaning routines can significantly cut down on illness, which means fewer absences and a stronger learning environment overall.
One of the biggest is the role of physical design. For example, sinks, hand sanitizer stations, and disinfecting supplies need to be easy to find and conveniently located. If students have to go out of their way to wash their hands, they’re less likely to do it. Schools sometimes invest in excellent products but forget that placement and accessibility are just as important as the product itself.
Another overlooked factor is consistency. Even small lapses, like skipping a cleaning step or not restocking supplies, can have a ripple effect. Infection prevention isn’t just about what products we use, but how regularly and correctly they’re used.
Supplies make or break infection prevention. If cleaning wipes or sanitizer aren’t available in classrooms, teachers simply don’t have the tools to maintain hygiene between scheduled cleanings. On the other hand, when supplies are visible and accessible, both staff and students are empowered to take action in the moment. The easier we make it, the more likely people are to do it.
For younger kids, handwashing works best when it’s fun. Songs, visuals, or games help turn it into a habit instead of a chore. For older students, it’s more about visibility and reminders: signage near sinks, easy-to-use sanitizer dispensers, and positive reinforcement from staff.
The goal is to make hygiene feel normal, not extra. When it’s part of the rhythm of the day, like lining up for recess or putting away backpacks, students are much more likely to do it automatically.
Product labels aren’t just guidelines; they’re instructions for making sure the product actually works. One common example is “contact time,” which is how long a surface needs to stay visibly wet for the disinfectant to kill germs. If we wipe too quickly or don’t let the product sit long enough, we may not be disinfecting effectively.
By following the label, we’re making sure we’re really reducing germs in a way that protects everyone in the school.
Every absence represents lost learning time for students and disruptions for teachers. By reducing the spread of common illnesses like colds, flu, and stomach bugs, consistent cleaning helps keep classrooms fuller and more stable. When kids are present and healthy, they’re more engaged, teachers can keep momentum in their lessons, and schools as a whole function more smoothly.
For handwashing, the key times are before eating, after using the restroom, and after coughing or sneezing. For surfaces, especially high-touch areas like desks, doorknobs, and light switches, daily cleaning is essential, and during peak illness seasons, more frequent disinfection may be necessary. The message I share with schools is: consistency beats intensity. It’s better to do the right things regularly than to rely on one-off deep cleans.
Wellness is about more than products; it’s about mindset. Schools can make a huge impact by encouraging families to keep kids home when they’re sick, by supporting vaccination as a way to protect the community, and by modelling healthy behaviours at every level. When staff wash their hands in front of students or talk openly about hygiene, it normalizes those behaviours. The culture piece is what sustains infection prevention in the long term. It shifts the responsibility from a single custodian or teacher to the entire school community working together.
Focus on the small changes. Infection prevention doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated. Simply making sanitizer more visible, reminding students to wash hands before lunch, or ensuring wipes are available in every classroom can have an outsized impact. Those small, consistent actions are what add up to healthier schools.
Infection prevention is about more than reducing illness in the short term. It’s about teaching lifelong habits that students will carry with them beyond the classroom. By modelling, reinforcing, and supporting healthy practices, schools are shaping not just safer learning environments, but healthier communities for the future.
