When you first hear MRSA - you're probably thinking what is that?? MRSA is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; a type of Staph bacteria found on the skin and in the nose that is resistant to antibiotics. Now if your like me, then as soon as you heard the word Staph you knew what we are talking about here. Just the pictures that I've seen or the stories I've heard is enough to take what ever measures to protect myself and my family.
The Stop MRSA Now Coalition in partnership with The Clorox Company and SwapMeSports.com, has teamed up with professional basketball star Grant Hill to launch Equip them Well, a program to help teach families and sports teams about practical MRSA prevention steps, such as washing hands and disinfecting equipment with a bleach solution. Like so many others who have been affected by the threat of MRSA, Hill understands the importance of prevention, both in the locker room and on the court.
“We need to get more kids in the game with youth sports – but I also know firsthand that MRSA is a tough opponent that many young athletes may face,” said Hill, MRSA survivor and Stop MRSA Now Coalition member. “That is why I am excited about the Equip Them Well program to inform parents and coaches that we all play a part in MRSA prevention.”Donate Used Sports Equipment and Score a Chance to Meet Grant Hill
In addition to educating parents about MRSA prevention, the Equip Them Well program is committed to providing the resources necessary for kids from all communities to take part in youth sports. Parents can collect, disinfect and donate used youth sports equipment to communities in need through the Equip Them Well page on StopMRSANow.org.
Each family that visits StopMRSANow.org and enters the sweepstakes will score a chance to win a trip to Phoenix for a Suns game and exclusive “meet-and-greet” with Hill.
Equip Them Well – With Simple Equipment Wellness Steps
MRSA is generally spread by skin to skin contact and by touching surfaces that have come in contact with a person’s infection. The following steps can help prevent the spread in community settings:
- Scrub up – Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand rub sanitizer.
- Wipe it down – Use a disinfecting bleach solution to wipe down and disinfect hard surfaces. (1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 gallon of water or as directed on label)
- Cover your cuts – Keep any nicks or wounds covered with a clean, dry bandage until healed.
- Keep to yourself – Do not share personal items, like towels or razors, that come into contact with bare skin.
- Use a barrier – Keep a towel or clothing between skin and shared equipment.
- Don’t play dirty – Wash children’s athletic clothing after each use, using the warmest wash recommended and adding bleach when appropriate.
All teams know that sports equipment is often shared among teammates. That makes “equipment wellness” another important part of preventing the spread of MRSA in youth sports settings. It is important to:
- Regularly clean and disinfect sports equipment like balls, racket grips and bats.
- Pay particular attention to disinfecting or properly laundering sports equipment that comes into direct contact with the skin of the players, such as headgear/helmets, mats, and body armor.
- Avoid using tape to wrap gripping areas of rackets, bar bells, or to repair rips and tears on other sports equipment. This may provide an environment for germs to thrive and may interfere with the disinfectant process.
Parents can read and download practical prevention steps online at http://www.stopmrsanow.org/.
MRSA is a potentially life-threatening antibiotic resistant Staph infection. The MRSA bacteria is carried by up to 5 percent of the population, especially in younger people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2005, nearly 19,000 Americans died from MRSA infections. During the same year, there were 134 cases of MRSA in children.
EDUCATE YOURSELF!!
EDUCATE YOURSELF!!