Safety Communication Health Education Future
A place for families to explore what it means to be responsible

During the winter months, germs spread easily as kids are indoors more often.  The following are helpful tips to keep germs at bay and to keep colds and flu from spreading.

• Keep children who are sick (fever within previous 24 hours, productive cough, runny nose, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, etc) at home.  Don't send them to school or day care as this will inevitably spread the virus.
• Teach children to wash hands properly, scrubbing with soap on hands for 20 seconds (water off) before rinsing.  Set a good example by washing your hands using this system.
• Make a house rule that everyone who comes in the front door of your home must wash their hands, first thing.  In studies, this action has shown to dramatically decrease the spread of viruses by up to 75%.
• Teach children to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue over their nose and mouth or into their elbow.  Children should also make it a habit to wash hands after coughing or sneezing.
• Teach children to stay a few feet (at least arms length) away from children with symptoms listed above.
• People who are sick should stay in bed and away from those who are not sick until symptoms subside.

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