With the public health currently under constant threat due to the coronavirus pandemic, it's understandable that parents are concerned about the health and safety of their children.
If you have kids at home, there are a few crucial child safety tips you can implement that will help you keep them and yourself safe.
Read on to learn more about some simple yet effective ways you and your children can stay healthy and prevent the coronavirus from spreading.
Practice Proper Handwashing
One of the easiest yet most effective things you can do to keep your children healthy is to teach them about proper handwashing habits. Tell your kids to wash their hands before and after eating, before and after using the restroom, and after any time they come into contact with an object when out in public.
The current guideline states that handwashing should be done with a quality antibacterial soap and that the process should last for at least 20 seconds. You can make this easy for your kids by having them sing a fun song that lasts around 20 seconds or more as they wash their hands.
"Happy Birthday" is a classic song used to teach proper handwashing techniques. Feel free to get creative and come up with some other songs that you and your children can sing together as you scrub your hands clean.
If you don't have access to soap and water, bring a hand sanitizer product with you. Apply the sanitizer to your child's hands and have them rub their hands together, paying special attention between the fingers. Allow the hand sanitizer to dry thoroughly and make sure that it contains at least 60% alcohol or higher.
Child Safety Tips: Sneeze and Cough Safely
Many children don't understand the importance of avoiding the spread of germs and bacteria. You'll need to talk to your children and demonstrate ways they can protect others whenever they need to sneeze or cough.
Have your child carry tissues with them at all times, and encourage them to sneeze directly into the tissue and then throw it away in a safe manner. If no tissue is available, encourage and explain to them the importance of sneezing directly into their elbow.
The coronavirus is spread through droplets projected from the nose and mouth. With good sneezing and coughing habits, your family can help to prevent the proliferation of the virus. Use our handy stick on temperature indicator products to keep track of your child's temperature.
You should also sit down with your children and explain why and how to avoid direct physical contact with others. Teach them to open doors with their elbows and practice a few fun "elbow bumps" that they can start to use instead of high-fives or handshakes.
Mental Health Tips for Parents and Kids
Dealing with a global pandemic is scary, and it can take a serious toll on your mental health as well as the mental health of your children. Thankfully, there are things you can do to keep everyone positive and mentally sound.
Here are some tips that you can use to reassure your kids and encourage a positive attitude as we navigate this crisis:
- Avoid watching the news when your children are in the room. Constant exposure to news headlines and stories about the coronavirus can increase levels of anxiety and stress.
- Distract your kids by playing some fun games, working on puzzles, or watching their favorite movies and TV shows.
- If your child asks questions about the coronavirus, be honest, but also be very gentle and measured in your response.
- Pay attention to your child's eating and sleeping habits. If you notice behavioral changes, talk to your pediatrician right away.
- Encourage your children by telling them that the adults in their life are here to help. The doctors, nurses, and teachers are all here to support them and protect them.
When you foster a sense of positivity, it can do wonders for the mental health of your child. Stay away from the news as much as possible and remember that children can easily get confused and overwhelmed when they're hit with a barrage of information all at once.
Healthy Lifestyle Habits
A prominent factor in severe coronavirus sufferers is the fact that they may have a weak immune system. You can improve your child's immune system and keep it strong by following and maintaining some good lifestyle habits.
First, make sure that your child is getting ample sleep every night. Adequate sleep can help you fight off infection, and it's great for mental and physical health. Set a regular bedtime and stick to it for consistent results.
What you eat can also play a role in your ability to fight off the virus. Make sure your entire family is eating a healthy diet full of plenty of vegetables and fresh fruit. Hydrate with clean drinking water regularly.
Avoid sugary snacks and desserts, and get creative with new recipes that include healthy ingredients. You can even take advantage of this time by cooking with your kids for a fun bonding experience. Supplement your diets with vitamin C or a quality multivitamin to help keep the immune system strong.
Coronavirus: Recognize the Symptoms
The symptoms of COVID-19 can be very mild or severe depending on a range of factors. Some children may not even display symptoms, which is why it's important to encourage them to practice these child safety tips.
The most common symptoms of the coronavirus include a nagging dry cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Monitor yourself and your child to look for any of these symptoms and check everyone's temperature frequently.
You can also record your temperature over several days if you're concerned about a possible fever. This information will be extremely helpful to doctors who may want to track how you or your child's body temperature has changed. Our cooling patches can help regulate your child's temperature and keep them comfortable.
In most cases, COVID-19 has a much more profound effect on the elderly and those with underlying health conditions like heart disease or diabetes. However, if your child has immune system issues or another disease, it's crucial to pay close attention to how they're feeling.
Public health officials advise that you avoid going to the emergency room or hospital unless it's absolutely necessary. If your child is presenting any symptoms, contact your primary care physician or pediatrician first. They can direct you about who to call next or where to go if they suspect coronavirus is present.
Before and After Preschool, Daycare, and School
If your child's school is open or you're still taking them to daycare, there are several child safety tips you can use to keep them and others safe. Make these new tasks a habit going forward so that it becomes part of your family's routine.
Before School/Daycare
Wash bookbags and clothing regularly so that everything your child wears to school or daycare each day is completely clean. Include a pack of tissues in their bag and let them know they must use it whenever they need to cough or sneeze.
Trim your child's nails and keep them in good shape since germs tend to hide in nooks and crannies like fingernails. Let your child know that washing their hands is not an option and that they must follow the same habits from home while at school.
Pack a small container of hand sanitizer with your child and remind them to use it whenever they need it. Instead of using a lunchbox or insulated lunch bag, pack snacks and lunches in a disposable grocery bag instead. This simple step can prevent the spread of germs since they can simply throw the bag away after they eat.
After School/Daycare
The steps you take when your child returns from school can be just as important as what you do before. Have everyone take their shoes off at the door before entering your home to keep any germs from floors from spreading.
Wash clothing, bags, and other items daily or at least toss them in the washing machine as soon as your child gets home. Check-in with your child's daycare or school regularly for any possible updates regarding processes and procedures for coronavirus.
Every time your child comes home, monitor them for any symptoms and have them wash their hands thoroughly as soon as they come inside. And, don't forget to ask how their day was and how they are feeling so that they have a sense of routine and reassurance.
Keeping Kids Safe from Coronavirus
Simple child safety tips like proper handwashing, a healthy diet, and avoiding the spread of germs are your best lines of defense against COVID-19. When all parents work together, it's easier to keep kids healthy as well as other family members.
Remember to pay attention to your child's mental health and take steps to keep everyone calm and positive. With patience and reassurance, you'll know that you're doing your absolute best to keep your little ones as safe as possible.
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