Handwashing; Simple, But Oh, So Effective

It's only mid-September and, already, the crud is working its way through our program. Coughing, sneezing, and fevers--kids staying home sick and staff doing the same. I know we can't avoid it; it comes with the territory. However, there are steps we can take to minimize the spread of illness and keep our folks healthy.

Simply stated, proper hand hygiene (handwashing) is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of illness. (If you don't believe it, apparently you haven't seen the movie "Contagion"--whew; scary stuff.) Empower your staff and children to keep themselves (and others) healthy by knowing when and how to wash their hands properly.

The Centers for Disease Control has established "Standard Precautions" for reducing the spread of infections. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, and the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education have joined forces to apply those guidelines to child care programs. "Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs" can be found online at http://nrckids.org/CFOC3/HTMLVersion/TOC.html

The "Standard Precautions" include hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and safe handling of potentially contaminated surfaces. "Caring for Our Children" includes pretty much anything else you need to know about running a healthy program. Check it out.

I have spent the past week revising DayCareTools.com's Policies and Procedures for Handwashing, Diaper Changing, and Standard Precautions to reflect the newest recommendations. Those 3 products are this week's discounted offerings in the hope that we can help you keep your staff and children healthier this Fall and Winter.

Remember those famous words for your children (and stafff): "Wash your hands.......with soap".

Misty