Fight Germs - Cleaning Tips to Keep Children Healthy

There are three types of Moms: (1) those that meticulously clean their homes and anything that touches their children, (2) those that don't think twice about retrieving a pacifier off the floor at the supermarket and handing it back to the baby and (3) those in between. How do we know if we're doing enough on the cleaning front? Following are cleaning tips to keep germs at bay:

Wash your hands! Kids are susceptible to germs whether they are at preschool, school, or at home. Their immature immune systems can't fight off the germs and they often pass on the viral infections to their families. Regardless of school, you can't keep your kids in a bubble. The single most effective way to prevent infection is to have your children wash their hands with soap and warm water. Encourage them to lather for about 30-seconds, or about as long as it takes to sing their ABCs.

Use hand sanitizers. When there is no sink around, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. For those with young children, rub the sanitizer on your hands until it was self-absorbed to ensure that they are not taking alcohol-based substance. When shopping for a hand sanitizer, read the list of ingredients on the package. The FDA recommends the use of a gel with a concentration of 60 - to 95 percent ethanol or isopropanol.

Use towels. For those who fear an alcohol-based disinfectant hand, considered armed towel around without the use of sinkingavailable. At home, use wipes to clean items your children have access to on a regular basis, such as the counters, high chair, changing table, etc. Find wipes at the store that fight germs.

Bleach it. Since some viruses and bacteria are transmitted by inanimate objects, such as a high chair, bleach can be used to fight germs. Dilute the solution, rinse the surface afterwards, then store the bleach behind a locked cabinet. Be wary of industrial-use cleaners as these are not necessary for the home and are dangerous to children if swallowed or if it is in the eye.

To combat the germs, the head office to your pediatrician for flu vaccine to keep up to date with vaccinations, wash their hands as far as possible, baths or showers, and keep your fingers crossed.