Water Walk

You can help celebrate World Water Day March 22 at the New York City Tap Project Water Walk.

Beginning at Battery Park, the one-mile walk raises support for children worldwide who suffer from a lack of readily available clean water. Participants will carry up to a gallon of water in solidarity with children who must carry water from distant sources every day.

For more information or to register, visit www.tapproject.org/nywalk.

Hand sanitizer update

While use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers has caused some alarm in schools, the New York Statewide School Health Services Center says the NY State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control OK their use.

Hand washing with soap and water is the recommended method to keep hands free of bacteria; when not available, alcohol-based sanitizers are an alternative.

Since alcohol can be absorbed, children should be supervised when using. Fingernail biting and touching of the eyes, nose and mouth should be discouraged.

See www.schoolhealthservicesny.com for more information.

Get out the planners

Plan a school event to celebrate National Healthy Schools Day on April 27. Healthy Schools Network, Inc. is promoting activities to foster understanding about the effect of a school's environment on all its occupants.

At www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org teachers can find out how to host a workshop or conference; take students around school to examine problems; or write a letter to a principal to find out what types of cleaning products and pest controls are being used.

For details, call 202-543-7555 or e-mail info@healthyschools.org.

Poison prevention week

National Poison Prevention Week runs through March 21. This national awareness week is organized annually by a coalition of national organizations working to prevent poisonings.

Visit http://schoolhealthservicesny.com/links.cfm to link to related sites, which include the American Academy of Pediatrics.