October 21, 2008

Health Tip: Protecting Your Child at Day Care

(HealthDay News) - Bacteria, viruses and other germs are easily passed between children at day-care centers.

Here are suggestions to reduce your child's risk of catching -- or spreading -- a nasty bug, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Make sure your child washes his or her hands before eating and after using the bathroom.
• Encourage the day-care center to regularly sanitize toys.
• When your child is sick, keep him or her home from school.
• For your infant in day care, try breast-feeding to boost the infant's immune system.
• Encourage the day-care center to implement procedures to reduce the spread of germs.
• Encourage the daycare center to change diapers away from food preparation and serving areas.
• Remind staff that they and children at day care should be current with all recommended immunizations.

-- Diana Kohnle

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