All material in Library Files is copyright. Reducing Illness In Child Care By Catherine M. Pruissen Many parents are undoubtedly breathing a sigh of relief now that the miserable winter weather is over and along with it the constant barrage of colds, flu and every other virus under the sun. While they may get a bit of a break, unless the daycare center or home employs a few basic hygiene and cleaning particles, the germs that have been causing havoc all winter are going to continue their rampage. What's worse, new germs that come into the center everyday from the children of varying families will add to the problem already at hand. And with over 100 different cold viruses just waiting to grab hold of a new victim, the cycle of one cold after another may never end.
Germs thrive in warm, wet, and stuffy places.
Clean, dry places are much less likely to harbor them. You can help keep germs from spreading by keeping your hands and your surroundings as clean and dry as possible. According to the Canadian Pediatric Society, hand washing is the single most effective way of reducing the spread of infection. To be effective however, hand washing must be done properly and frequently. Use soap and warm running water.