As the stomach bug has presented itself into our home this week I’ve found it even more important to stop the spreading of illnesses between other family members. With six kids it is very easy to spread germs between them. They play the video game, sneeze, and pass the controller. It goes round and round and round again.
We’ve tried to instill the importance of proper hand washing and other ways to stop the spreading of germs but kids will be kids and ours are definitely not germaphobes! They can sneeze a thousand times and maybe 10 out of those will be covered no matter how many time we tell them to!
It’s equally important that we as parents help to stop spreading germs and illnesses by maintaining good health habits at home or on the go and by making sure our kids are doing these to the best of our abilities!
1. Avoid close contact with anyone that is sick and avoid others when you are sick. As a mom, I know that this is pretty hard to do. When either you or your child is sick it’s next to impossible to stay away from each other. We all know that moms have that “special” touch when it comes to a child not feeling well!! The best thing to do is stay at home when anyone is sick. Try to stay in one area as much as possible to keep from spreading germs all around your house.
2. Always cover your mouth or nose when you sneeze or cough. This is especially hard in our house! At home and school our kids are taught to sneeze/cough into their shirt sleeve or elbow if they can’t get to a tissue fast enough. Of course, throw the tissue away and make your way to Step #3!
3. Wash your hands! Clean hands are the best defense against spreading germs. We tough everything from our house to our vehicles to stuff at stores. We can not only infect those in our house but also others that aren’t.
- The CDC has some tips on proper Hand Washing which include frequent hand washing with soap and water where available or an alcohol-based rub otherwise and when to wash your hands.
- The CDC also has listed the proper way to wash your hands.
-Wet your hands with running water and apply soap.
-Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub well; be sure to clean the backs of your hands, in between fingers and under your nails.
-Continue rubbing them for 20 seconds. Hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
- Rinse your hands well under the running water.
-Dry hands with a clean paper towel and turn the faucet off with the paper towel before throwing it away.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth when you are sick.
5. Properly disinfect areas that are frequently touched in your home. Countertops, light switches, door handles, faucet handles…etc. Use a 1:10 solution of bleach to water; that’s 1 part bleach for every 9 parts water. A good starting place is ¼ cup of bleach to 2 ¼ cups of water. In a spray bottle, first add the bleach followed by the water. Mixing the solution in the bottle will help it to not get on you!
6. Thoroughly wash bedding/towels in hot water.
7. Clean toys thoroughly and frequently.
8. Do not share drinking cups or eating utensils.
9. Away from home you can use hand sanitizer wipes/spray to clean shopping carts, chairs and tables. Clean your hands after touching those surfaces as well!
By following those tips you greatly cut down the risk of spreading germs and exposing you and your family to them!
Now, here are the germiest places in our houses according to the FoxNews.com
1. Your kitchen faucet - about 52% are contaminated with E. coli.
2. Your bathroom faucet - contains more harmful bacteria than the toilet seat!!
3. Your Kitchen Sink - 100,000 more germs than the bathroom.
4. Refrigerator Door Handle - 40% of the time cold germs are present
5. Remote Control - 1 of the TOP places to transmit infections in your home.
6. Home Phone/Cell Phone - harbors more than 250,000 microbes per square inch.
7.Light Switch - one of the most frequently touched spots in your home.
I spent the better part of yesterday disinfecting our house and I’m certainly praying that no one else gets sick from what the baby has. Hopefully the boys will listen to what we are trying to teach them about germ control so they too can help from spreading infections!
Source: The Center for Disease Control, Fox News, About.com (Bleach Solution)
Ashley
This post is linked up at Time-Warp Wife, Growing Home and Far Above Rubies.
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
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