Controlling Infections Around Children

Where ever children are gathered so are possible infection contacts. A report from the U.S. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology stated that at least 90% of all ailments are transmitted by the hands not through the air. This is why hand washing is vital to the control of infections. Another area of concern is disinfections of surfaces including toys.

Do the kids you know wash their hands after going to the bathroom, coughing or sneezing? Drying your hands is just as important as washing them properly. Hands should be dried with paper towels not hot air dryer, but this is what most bathrooms nowadays supply. Paper towels lessen the spread of microorganisms. People tend to quickly dry their hands with hot air leaving their hands still moist. Moist hands are breeding grounds for microorganisms that may possibly be left behind.

Children should be taught to use warm water not cold when washing their hands. The water should be running and not in a basin. Pre-moistened towels do not do a thorough enough job of washing hands. Hands should be washed in running warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Children should be taught to scrub between fingers and under nails and on every surface of their hands including thumbs. Teach children to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice while washing hands to be sure that they are washing for at least 20 seconds. Make sure that they rinse their hands well. Young children should be supervised while washing their hands. Hand washing should never be hurried.

Disinfecting surfaces including toys is important when preventing the spread of infections. All shared toys should be cleaned and disinfected especially during cold and flu seasons. Some toys need just soap and water to clean them others should be cleaned with one gallon of water and one or two teaspoons of bleach. Make sure that you rinse all of the bleach off of the toy. Please remember not to mix any other chemicals with the bleach. Hard surface toys can be washed in the dishwasher (lighter toys tied to the rack). Many plush animals can be washed in the washer and dryer.

Talking electronic toys cannot be cleaned in the washer and dryer they must be surface washed by hand.

When you have several kids in your care it is easier to set aside a bin that is out of their reach in which you can place toys that need to be cleaned. Then, when you have the time, you can take them out and clean them.

Toys are not the only items that can spread infection among young children. Playpens, sleeping areas and eating areas should also be cleaned on a regular basis. These items should be cleaned daily when there are multiple children and weekly when there is only one child. Bedding should also be washed and changed weekly.

Older children's toys do not need to be washed as frequently as toys for baby, but they still need to be washed no a regular basis, especially if you have a sick child.

Read all labels on any cleaning product before using it to clean a toy to be sure it is safe to do so. If you have any doubts as to its suitability, call the manufacturer's phone number on the label to be sure. If you are unsure how to clean a toy, call the manufacturer to ask.

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