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By
Catherine M. Pruissen
Many
parents are undoubtedly breathing a sigh of relief
now that the miserable winter weather is over and
along with it the constant barrage of colds, flu and
every other virus under the sun.
While
they may get a bit of a break, unless the daycare
center or home employs a few basic hygiene and cleaning
particles, the germs that have been causing havoc
all winter are going to continue their rampage.
What's
worse, new germs that come into the center everyday
from the children of varying families will add to
the problem already at hand. And with over 100
different cold viruses just waiting to grab hold of
a new victim, the cycle of one cold after another
may never end. "The basic solution
to reducing the risk of illness is really quite simple,"
says Janet Brown McCracken in her brochure KEEPING
HEALTHY Parents, Teachers and Children (NAEYC).
"Germs thrive in warm, wet, and stuffy places.
Clean, dry places are much less likely to harbor them.
You can help keep germs from spreading by keeping
your hands and your surroundings as clean and dry
as possible.
Hand
Washing
According
to the Canadian Pediatric Society, hand washing is
the single most effective way of reducing the spread
of infection. To be effective however, hand washing
must be done properly and frequently.
HANDWASHING FOR STAFF
1)
Use soap and warm running water.
2) Wet your hands and add soap.
3) Rub your hands vigorously for 5
to 10 seconds.
4) Wash all surfaces, including the backs
of hands and between fingers.
5) Rinse your hands well under running water
for 5 to 10 seconds.
6) Dry your hands well with a towel. Turn
off the taps with a paper towel.
7) Dispose of the cloth or paper towel.
8) Apply hand lotion, as needed.
Note: When cleaning under fingernails, use a disposable
manicure stick, not a nail brush. Washing your
hands in the single most effective way of reducing
the spread of infection.
Cleaning
& Sanitizing
Mixing a daily solution of 1/4 cup bleach per gallon
of water or 1 tsp. per quart (great for squirt bottles),
and using the solution to clean and sanitize toys,
furniture and eating utensils on a daily basis will
significantly reduce the amount of germs in any child
care setting.
Diapering areas should be sprayed or wiped with bleach
solution after each use to reduce the risk or diarrhea.
Other
areas to wipe clean include counter tops, door handles,
highchairs trays, telephones, garbage cans and diaper
pails. "Mix a fresh solution daily so that the
bleach evaporation does not make the solution too
weak." Says McCracken.
Other
Germ Eliminating Ideas
As the list that follows indicates, there are a number
of other things a provider can do to eliminate or
stop the spread of germs. She can:
- Teach
the children how to cough or sneeze with their hand
properly over their mouth and nose and to toss out
the tissues as soon as they are through with them
- Keep
cots and cribs far enough apart so that the children
are not breathing, coughing, or sneezing on each
other and
make sure the same child uses the same cot/ crib
every day
- Open
windows daily to air out the facility.
- Give
each child a separate place to keep their belongings
- Teach
the children NOT to share toothbrushes, cups, hairbrushes
or food
- Have
an area where a sick child can comfortably be separated
from the other children until their parents arrive
- Have
a policy in places that excludes a child with a
contagious disease and let parents know
about this policy
- Inform
parents of any contagious disease affecting any
of the other children at the facility, and
- Make
certain each child's immunizations are up - to -
date.
Things
Parents Can Do
It is important for parents to take an active
role in the fight against germs and the first thing
they can do is to help make sure that their child
has received all the recommend immunizations.
And as we so often mention in PARENT CARE, they should
talk to their provider daily about how their is feeling.
Says the Canadian Pediatric Society in their book
WELL BEINGS,
"if you report that your child is feeling a bit
under the weather, the caregiver will watch for signs
of illness. If during the day the caregiver observes
signs of infection, she or he will notify you. Prompt
action when an infection is first suspected can often
prevent its spread through the center."
As well, parents should notify the center or dayhome
right away if they have to keep their child home because
of an infection, this allows the provider to keep
an eye on the other children in her care and treat
them properly if they become ill.
Finally,
parents should monitor the daycare and provider to
ensure proper hand washing and sanitizing techniques
are being used. Don't be afraid to ask the provider
how and how often
she cleans toys, furniture, toilets, counters, and
diaper changing areas, or to check the washrooms for
clean towels and an ample supply of soap. It's
your child's health. More important, it's your responsibility.
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