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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.

There seem to be two peak times when children wind up with colds – at the beginning of the school year and after the Christmas holidays. The reason? Its quite simple, in fact. It is at these times that children are exposed to new viruses. Most often it is other children, family or friends that carry the virus and then pass it to your youngsters.

During the fall and winter seasons, children are more often indoors rather then outdoors. Close confinement with many others may increase your child’s chance of picking up the virus. Sneezing, coughing, and sharing kitchen utencils, cups, bottles, or food are common ways viruses spread amongst preschoolers.

In Search of a Cure

Can we prevent the common cold? Is there a cure? When scientists and health care professionals were asked these questions, they were generally in agreement about two things.

1. Colds can be prevented; and
2. there is no known cure for the common cold.

Here is a sample of common myths and facts about the common cold.

Myth:
“If you take Vitamin C each day, you’ll keep colds away.”

Fact:
Research has proven that the Vitamin C does not prevent colds. However, some studies have shown that Vitamin C may actually help people weather colds better. When your child has a cold, oranges, grapefruits and juices with Vitamin C added, may reduce the severity and length of the cold. Drinking lots of water and eating soups are good ideas, too.

Myth:
“If you have a cold, don’t drink milk….it causes mucus.”

Fact:
While there is little evidence to support the belief that milk causes mucus, we do know that viral infections themselves often result in the production of mucus. Besides mucus, other common cold symptoms include tiredness, irritability and poor appetite. To speed up recovery from a cold, it is important to get your child’s eating pattern back on track. Choosing nutrient dense foods, like milk, is important when kids don’t want to eat or drink much. Your child may find milk easier to swallow if it is heated (hot chocolate) or added to other favorite foods like soups and pudding.

Myth:
“If you go outside with wet hair, you’ll catch a cold.

Fact:
Colds are caused by viruses. There is no need to restrict activities like swimming. Make sure children dry their heads before going outside because they can lose body heat, especially with cooler winter temperatures.

Things You Can do to Prevent a Cold

* Remind children to wash their hands after they use the toilet, before they prepare or eat food and after they wipe their nose.
* Remind children not to share food or drinks, cutlery, dishes, bottles or cups.
* Protect your child against secondhand smoke; This has been shown to increase the risk for complications of colds.

Things You Can Do When Your Child Has A Cold

* Remind children to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing and to wash their hands afterwards, especially before rubbing their eyes.
* Encourage children to use a tissue (instead of their sleeve). Be sure the tissue goes in the garbage right away.
* Make sure that your child is drinking lots of fluids. Water is a must. Try serving 100% juice, milk or soup.
* If your child isn’t hungry, try to serve energy-packed foods like scrambled eggs, hot cereals, cream soups, ice cream and homemade puddings. Try to get your child’s eating habits back on track as soon a possible.

More serious infections can follow a cold. Call your Doctor if your child has any of these signs:

* Persistent or high fever
* Rash
* Fast breathing or has trouble breathing
* A cough that will not go away
* Excessive crabbiness or more crying than usual
* Excessive tiredness
* Ear ache

Keep your child at home if she or he is not well. Check with your child care provider for details about when to keep your child at home.

“Food Fair For Child Care”, Winter 1996 Insert.  B.C. Ministry of Health and Ministry Responsible for Seniors

(See Business Forms in our Exclusive Products section to order ready-to-use Administering Medication and other valuable forms.)

What is a Food Allergy?

All allergies are caused by an overreaction of the immune.  Usually, the immune system helps keep us healthy.  It defends the body from “enemies” like viruses and germs, that cause disease.

An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly treats a food as if it were an enemy.  When this happens, the immune system produces special proteins called antibodies that
search for the food particles and then release chemicals that try to destroy the food particles. These chemicals also affect other parts of the body causing the uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous, symptoms of an allergic reaction. * The parts of the food that causes an allergy is a protein called an allergen.  Most allergic reactions to food are caused by a small number of allergens.

Which Foods Cause Allergies?

Most food items contain some proteins;  therefore, almost any food products are more likely than others to cause an allergic reaction.  These include cow’s milk, wheat, corn, chocolate, egg whites, soya beans and other legumes, peanuts, nuts, fish, shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster), and citrus fruits such as oranges, strawberries, and tomatoes.

What are the Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction to Food?

The symptoms range from very mild to very server.  They occur alone or together with other symptoms.  Some allergic reactions to food can occur within minutes of eating that food.  Other reactions may take an hour or longer to appear.  The most common symptoms involve these body symptoms:

Digestive System:

* Nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
* Skin:  Itching, rashes, hives, and eczema.
* Respiratory System:  Congestion, coughing, wheezing, sneezing, runny nose and asthma.
* Other less common symptoms include headaches, tiredness, pale color, circles under the eyes, sweating, ear aches, joint pain, sleep disturbances and behavior changes.  The most severe type of reactions fall into 2 categories:

Anaphylactic Reaction:

* This reaction involves two more of the above systems, and the cardiovascular (heat and blood circulation) system. Swelling of the mouth, throat or tongue, and shortness of breath, are particularly dangerous symptoms.

Anaphylactic Shock:

*  In the most server cases, anaphylactic reaction is followed by anaphylactic shock.  This shock is life-threating. If not treated, it can lead to collapse and death. It is important to obtain information form your family doctor on how to treat a reaction, particularly, an anaphylactic reaction and anaphylactic shock

CPSC, AARP Asks Customers To Pay Attention To Age Labels

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Ask any kid why, and getting toys is often a top reason. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and AARP are working together to make this holiday season a safe one by warning all gift givers about the five toy hazards that can take all the fun out of any celebration.

CPSC’s Top Safe Shopping Tips The Year: (to help reduce injuries and deaths)

Magnets – For children under age six, avoid building sets with small magnets. If swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.

Small Parts – For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.

Ride-on Toys – Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be sized to fit.

Projectile Toys – Projectile toys such as air rockets, darts and sling shots are for older children. Improper use of these toys can result in serious eye injuries.

Chargers and Adapters – Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.

CPSC also recommends using the following tips to help choose appropriate toys for children:

Be a label reader. Look for toy labels that give age and safety recommendations and use that information as a guide.

Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly-secured eyes, noses and other potential small parts.
For all children under 8, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.

Once the gifts are open:

Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous play things.

Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings or neighbors.

Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.

CPSC has reports of 20 toy-related deaths involving children under age 15 that occurred in 2005. Nine of these deaths occurred when a child choked or aspirated on a small ball or other toy parts. Also, in 2005 an estimated 152,400 children under 15 years old were treated for toy-related injuries in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. The majority of these injuries were not the result of a recalled or dangerous product. Instead, injuries from riding toys such as falls, made up a significant number of the injuries.

Consumers who have already purchased gifts should make sure they check that their gift lists do not include any of the recalled toys or children’s products on CPSC’s Web site. Canadians can get valuable recall information at the Consumer Product Safety web site.

Also, at these web sites, consumers can keep up-to-date on dangerous products by signing up to have recall announcements sent directly to their email account.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC’s web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Babies, toddlers and older children all have a way of flinging their bodies off high places when you’re not there to catch them. This distance to the ground is greater then with trips and slips, and the result can be serious.

If there is something to be climbed on, you can bet a child will find it: Reaching for attractive items, chairs used improperly, climbing or sitting on tables and shelves, piling up blocks or other toys, and falling down stairs. Take precautions by asking yourself if there is anything to excite a small mind to go up where it should not go?  Sometimes if pays to do as the Friendly Giant says, “Look up.  Look way up!”

High chairs and change tables present other concerns.  Safety straps are must, but even then you must pay close attention.   Never assume a little one cannot wiggle free.

More High Dives

Inside or outside, play equipment brings a whole new world of fun and potential hazards.

Swings, teeter-totter, slides, monkey bars and Mary-go-rounds all provide ways of getting children off the ground.  Not surprisingly, they sometimes manage to come crashing back to earth.

High dives here occur when a child looses a grip, uses equipment improperly, does not having the needed skills for the equipment being used, pushing and shoving, or just not being strong enough to hold on any longer.

Climbing equipment is a common source of high falls.  Caregivers and parents should always spot children when this type of equipment is in use.

At times when outdoor or indoor play equipment is in use, staff can be distracted by the need to relax or chat for a minute while the children are busy.   Sorry, this is a time for extra care!   You can’t afford to take your eyes off the children, or to be anywhere other than right beside the activity.

Fires are the number one cause of death in the home for children under five, and the National Fire Protection Association estimates that more than one third of those children die in fires started by themselves or by other young children. Fire is the number-one cause of death in the home for children ages 5-14. Roughly one of every seven fatal structure fires is started by a child under age 15. In 1994, 55 of arson arrests involved juveniles.

Who Sets Fires?

Some children engage in fire-play out of curiosity, without realizing the dangers. Some use fire-play as a bid for attention. Children in crisis may set fires intentionally, as a way of acting out their anger or frustration. With proper intervention, children who set fires can be helped.

Playing With Fire

Children are naturally curious, and fire is fascinating. If a child expresses a natural interest in fire, don’t overreact.

All children should be taught that matches and lighters are tools, not toys, and that fire is dangerous. Always keep matches and lighter up high, out of the reach of children, preferable in a locked cabinet. Never leave a child alone with a burning candle, cooking fire, fireplace fire, campfire, barbecue, or any other open flame.

Older children should be taught, with an adult supervision, to use fire properly. Have them help you use fire responsible through such safe activities as blowing out candles or putting charcoal in a barbecue grill before you light it.

Do not try to scare children away from fire. Teach them to respect it just as you would teach them to respect traffic or power poles.

Crisis Fire Starters

The negative behavior characteristics associated with setting fires are shared to some extent by all young people, most of whom never set a fire. In general, experts agree that setting a fire, like other antisocial behavior, is often a way of getting attention, exercising power, or acting out the need for help.

The “crisis fire setter” is typically a school-aged child, usually male, in his or her early or mid-teens or younger. He or she may be upset about a crisis or major change in his or her life (a death, move or divorce, for example), or feel confused, angry, frustrated, or powerless for some other reason. Sometimes, a child who deliberately or other source of chronic failure. Sometimes, he or she comes from an abusive household. The potentially deadly fires these young people set may be symbolic and even self-destructive – the result of complex family, social, and psychological circumstances.

Such children need help. Their fire setting is a symptom of a problem, not the problem itself. But it must be stopped. Parents, teachers, school administrators, and neighbors should step in when they suspect troubled children of using fire as a weapon.

When to Seek Help

If your child plays with matches or lighters and doesn’t respond to your efforts to redirect his or her interests, the child may benefit from professional counseling. Parents who suspect, or find evidence, that their child is setting even very small fires should approach the child with concern for potential fatal consequences of fire setting. They should also reassure that child about any crisis that may be provoking the behavior, listen carefully when the child describes his or her feelings, and get professional help.

Where to Find Help

Crisis fire setters may have trouble talking about their problems and feeling with parents or counselors. There are special programs that can help. Many schools and fire departments offer programs to help children who play with fire or set fires. Contact your local fire department or school counselor for details. Social service agencies can help a child and his or her family deal with the underlying problems that motivate crisis fire setting.

It’s the adults responsibility

Set a good example by following basic fire-safe practices in the home and teach your children to respect fire.

* Keep matches and lighters out of children’s sights and reach – preferably in a locked    cabinet. Use only child-resistant lighters.

* Store flammable liquids properly and away from children.

* Protect your home from arson by keeping your property free of fuels, such as brushes and rubbish

* Never leave young children alone with an open flame.

* Teach older children to use fire responsibly

* If you suspect your child is setting fires, get help immediately.

From:  Big Fires Start Small, National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101

So much of child safety depends on daily judgments, often made in seconds, and on thinking three or four steps ahead of your child in order to act or make choices with prevention in mind. That’s why, once again, we offer you a potpourri of safety tips from the Canadian Paediatric Society and Ross Laboratories, so that you will become what they call “a Prevention Expert, a Trouble Shooter or a Basic Rescuer.”

Cars and Bicycles

Always use the safety seat for your toddler.  Allowing them to romp in the car while your driving is a danger to him and to you.  If your child unbuckles a safety belt, stop the car as soon as it is
convenient and tell the child the car is not going anywhere until everyone is buckled up.

Explain to your child that putting his head or arms out the window is dangerous.  A child could be blinded by a stone kicked up by traffic.

If you use a child carrier on the back of your bike, make sure the feet are restrained in protective foot rests.  The child must be firmly strapped into place.  A safety helmet is essential. Beware that even with these precautions, it is not a wise way to transport a child.  In some jurisdictions, child carriers on bikes are prohibited.

The Kitchen and Laundry

Your child should be engaged in an activity in a safe place while you are cooking, in a playpen with her toys, for example.  Otherwise, in a moment she could touch a hot oven door, or pull on the cord of a plugged-in kettle or frying pan.  Handles should be turned in when pot are on the burner.

In the laundry area, put a hot iron out of reach when not in use.

Other Rooms

Never leave a toddler alone in a room with an auxiliary heater.  Erect adequate barriers around wood stoves and fireplaces.

Avoid loose and flowing styles of children’s sleepwear.  Loose nightgowns and robes are more likely to drag across a stove element, heater or open fireplace than snuggler-fitting polo-styles make of fire-retardant fabrics.

Never leave a barbecue or fire-starter unattended.  After use, keep an eye on the grill until it cools off.

Of the thousands of poisonings reported to the Poison Control Center each year, the majority involve children under four.  As with many accidents, poisoning can be prevented. Here are a few ideas to help you keep your children safe from accidental poisoning.

Precautions To Take

* Store all medicines, chemicals and cleaners out of your child’s reach and locked up.
* Keep chemicals or cleaners in their original containers and do not remove or abstract their labels.
* Purchase products that have safety or child resistant caps.  Make sure these caps are in working order.
* Always replace the lid before you put the container down.  Make sure the lid is on tight.
* Never let children play with empty chemical, medicine or cleanser containers.
* Teach your children the dangers of these products.  Show them the symbols and explain their meaning.
* Keep the number for the Poison Control Centre by the telephone, In the event of an accident, call the center or your local hospital immediately.  Have the container with you.
Follow their advice.

From: Safety Tip of the Month Cards, published by About Child Care Consumer Services.

As the colder weather sets in animals who would generally occupy the backyard once again become part of the family. From an early age children should be instructed on how to handle themselves around dogs, cats and other animals.

Precautions To Take

* Teach children about the dangers of approaching dogs or cats quickly, startling them and activating their natural response to run or worse, to attack.
* Children should be taught not to pull on a cat’s or dog’s ears, tail or neck – or to physically harass an animal in any way. They should be instructed about the dangers of teasing animals with sticks, food or other objects.
* Children need to know how to react to signs of aggression in an animal, like a dog growling or a cat snarling or hissing. Show the children how to back away from an aggressive animal slowly and not to run.
* If a child is bitten by a dog or a cat, seek medical aid as soon as possible. Try to remember the circumstances of the attack. All of this information may be useful in treating injuries.

More than anything else, children need to be closely supervised around family pets. A happy moment can turn ugly in an instant when a dog or cat is not in a playful mood when approach by a child. There is a fine line between playing with and teasing an animal

Falls are the leading cause of emergency department visits by children.  Keep your child safe at the daycare and at home by following these simple safety precautions.

Tips On Staying Safe

* Never leave a child unattended an a change table, bed or sofa.
* Make sure your child is properly strapped into the stroller, swing and highchair.
* Keep stairwells free of clutter.
* Use a CSA or U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission approve safety gates at the top and bottoms of stairs.
* Make sure windows have sung-fitting screen.  For extra protection attach window guards an all non-fire escape windows.
* Keep chairs and furniture away from windows to prevent climbing.
* Fire escapes, decks, balconies and high porches all pose a threat to children and should be secured with safety gates.  Railing spacings should be less than 3″ to prevent a child from slipping through or getting his or her head trapped.  Children should be properly supervised when playing in these areas.

From: Safety Tip of the Month Cards, published by About Child Care Consumer Services.