These are some of the measures we are taking at the WonderLab Museum to help prevent the spread of flu and other illness. Additional measures will be taken as needed and as advised by health officials.

• All volunteers and staff are encouraged to wash their hands at the onset and at the end of their shift and to wash them often throughout the day, using good hand washing technique (soap, hot water, sing the alphabet song).

• Visiting school groups of 30 or fewer students are asked to stop at the restrooms to wash hands prior to exploring the museum as part of the gallery orientation speech given by the floor manager. Groups of 30 or more are asked to cycle through the restrooms in small groups (5-10 students/chaperone) to wash hands. If this step proves to be more than our small bathrooms can handle, disinfecting wipes will be given to students within large groups to use as they enter the museum.

• The confirmation letter that is sent to school groups now includes a list of the steps WonderLab is taking to prevent the spread of germs. It also notifies chaperones of the importance of regular hand washing while at the museum and requests that students with flu-like symptoms remain home.

• A mid-day sanitization has been added, taking place throughout the gallery between noon and 2 pm, or after the departure of large groups. The evening sanitization takes place as usual at close.

• The sanitizing solution used in the gallery space and bathrooms has been switched to a bleach solution of two concentrations (bathroom strength and gallery strength). Bleach solution is more economical and more effective as a disinfectant than the chemicals and methods used previously.

• The K’nex are sprayed nightly with a disinfectant. The K’nex are soaked in bleach solution and allowed to air dry once a week.

• Laminated signs are posted near each toilet requesting that visitors wash hands thoroughly and often.

• Visitors stopping by the welcome desk will be encouraged to wash hands regularly as part of the welcome speech given by visitor services.

• Disinfecting wipes will be available at the Whisper Tubes.

• Signs reminding visitors, volunteers and employees to wash their hands have been posted in the restrooms.

MIke Voyles, Gallery Operations Manager

Updated: September 23, 2009