WebbyBaby: Internet Made This Baby

Teaching kids about hand washing is not just important to keep them healthier in childhood… but all through life. Hand washing is by far the best way to prevent germs from spreading and to keep your kids from getting sick.

The First Line of Defense Against Germs

Germs can be transmitted many ways, including:
- touching dirty hands
- changing dirty diapers
- through contaminated water and food
- through droplets released during a cough or a sneeze
- via contaminated surfaces
- through contact with a sick person’s body fluids

When kids come into contact with germs, they can unknowingly become infected simply by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. And once they’re infected, it’s usually just a matter of time before the whole family comes down with the same illness.

Good hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, influenza, hepatitis A, and most types of infectious diarrhea.

Washing Hands Correctly
Here’s how to scrub those germs away. Demonstrate this routine to your kids — or better yet, wash your hands together often so they learn how important this good habit is:

1. Wash your hands in warm water. Make sure the water isn’t too hot for little hands.
2. Use soap and lather up for about 10 to 15 seconds (antibacterial soap isn’t necessary — any soap will do). Make sure you get in between the fingers and under the nails where uninvited germs like to hang out. And don’t forget the wrists!
3. Rinse and dry well with a clean towel.

To minimize the germs passed around your family, make frequent hand washing a rule for everyone, especially:

- before eating and cooking
- after using the bathroom
- after cleaning around the house
- after touching animals, including family pets
- before and after visiting or taking care of any sick friends or relatives
- after blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
- after being outside (playing, gardening, walking the dog, etc.)

Child Proofing
Don’t forget to put locks on bathroom cabinets that contain medicines, cleaners, or anything else that could harm a child. Talk to your child about why these areas are off limits and what to do if they find anything dangerous laying about (meds, razor, etc.).

Source: KidsHealth