Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 15 - Mississippi Department of Health › Part 11 - Bureau of Child Care Facilities › Subpart 55 - Child Care Facilities Licensure › Chapter 4 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING LICENSURE OF YOUTH CAMPS › Appendix 15-11-55-4-H

Current through June 25, 2024
CLEANING AND DISINFECTION PROCEDURES
Keeping the child care environment clean and orderly is
					 very important for health, safety, and the emotional well-being of both
					 children and providers. One of the most important steps in reducing the number
					 of germs, and therefore the spread of disease, is the thorough cleaning of
					 surfaces that could possibly pose a risk to children or staff. Surfaces
					 considered most likely to be contaminated are those with which children are
					 most likely to have close contact. These include toys that children put in
					 their mouths, crib rails, food preparation areas, and surfaces likely to become
					 very contaminated with germs, such as diaper-changing areas.
Routine cleaning with soap and water is the most useful
					 method for removing germs from surfaces in the child care setting. Good
					 mechanical cleaning (scrubbing with soap and water) physically reduces the
					 numbers of germs from the surface, just as hand washing reduces the numbers of
					 germs from the hands. Removing germs in the child care setting is especially
					 important for soiled surfaces which cannot be treated with chemical
					 disinfectants, such as some upholstery fabrics.
However, some items and surfaces should receive an
					 additional step,
disinfection
, to kill germs after cleaning with
					 soap and rinsing with clear water. Items that can be washed in a dishwasher or
					 hot cycle of a washing machine do not have to be disinfected because these
					 machines use water that is hot enough for a long enough period of time to kill
					 most germs. The disinfection process uses chemicals that are stronger than soap
					 and water. Disinfection also usually requires soaking or drenching the item for
					 several minutes to give the chemical time to kill the remaining germs.
					 Commercial products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's
					 standards for "hospital grade" germicides (solutions that kill germs) may be
					 used for this purpose. One of the most commonly used chemicals for disinfection
					 in child care settings is a homemade solution of household bleach and water.
					 Bleach is cheap and easy to get. The solution of bleach and water is easy to
					 mix, is nontoxic, is safe if handled properly, and kill most infectious agents.
					 (Be aware that some infectious agents are not killed by bleach. For example,
					 cryptosporidia is only killed ammonia or hydrogen peroxide.)
A solution of bleach and water loses its strength very
					 quickly and easily. It is weakened by organic material, evaporation, heat, and
					 sunlight. Therefore, bleach solutions should be mixed fresh each day to make
					 sure it is effective. Any leftover solution should be discarded and the end of
					 the day. NEVER mix bleach with anything but fresh tap water! Other chemicals
					 may react with bleach and create and release a toxic chlorine gas.
Keep the bleach solution you mix each day in a cool place
					 out of direct sunlight and out of the reach of children. (Although a solution
					 of bleach and water mixed as shown in the accompanying box should not be
					 harmful if accidentally swallowed, you should keep all chemicals away from
					 children.)
If a child care facility uses a commercial cleaner,
					 sanitizer, or disinfectant it must be a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
					 (EPA)-registered product that has an EPA registration number on the label. Such
					 products shall only be used according to the manufacturer's
					 instructions.
NOTE:
All EPA-registered products may not be
					 appropriate for use in a child care facility. Therefore, it is the
					 responsibility of the facility to make sure any product use is appropriate for
					 use in a child care facility.
Recipe for Bleach Disinfecting Solution
(For use on non-porous surfaces such as diaper change
					 tables, counter tops, door and cabinet handles toilets, etc.)
1/4 - 3/4 cup bleach
1 gallon of cool water
OR
1 - 3 tablespoon bleach
1 quart of cool water
Apply as a spray or poured fresh solution, not by dipping
					 into a container with a cloth that has been in contact with a contaminated
					 surface.
Add the household bleach (5.25¢ sodium hypochlorite)
					 to the water.
Recipe for Weaker Bleach Sanitizing
					 Solution
For food contact surfaces sanitizing (dishes,
					 utensils, cutting boards high chare trays), toys that children may place in
					 their mouths, and pacifiers.
1 tablespoon bleach
1 gallon cool water
Add the bleach to the water
Washing and Disinfecting Toys
! Infants and toddlers should not share toys. Toys that
					 children (particularly infants and toddlers) put in their mouths should be
					 washed and disinfected between uses by individual children. Toys for infants
					 and toddlers should be chosen with this in mind. If you cannot wash a toy, it
					 probably is not appropriate for an infant or toddler.
! When an infant or toddler finishes playing with a toy,
					 you should retrieve it form the play area and put it in a bin reserved for
					 dirty toys. This bin should be out of reach of the children. Toys can be washed
					 at a later, more convenient time, and then transferred to a bin for clean toys
					 and safely reused by the other children.
! To wash and disinfect a hard plastic toy:
*Scrub the toy in warm, soapy water. Use a brush to reach
					 into the crevices.
* Rinse the toy in clean water.
* Immerse the toy in a mild bleach solution (see above) and
					 allow it to soak in the solution for 10-20 minutes.
*Remove the toy from the bleach and rinse well in cool
					 water.
* Air dry.
! Hard plastic toys that are washed in a dishwasher or
					 cloth toys washed in the hot water cycle of the hot water cycle of a washing
					 machine do not need to be additionally disinfected.
! Children in diapers should only have washable toys. Each
					 group of children should have its own toys. Toys should not be shared with
					 other groups.
! Stuffed toys used by only a single child should be
					 cleaned in a washing machine every week or more frequently if heavily
					 soiled.
! Toys and equipment used by older children and not put
					 into their mouths should be cleaned at least weekly and when obviously soiled.
					 A soap and water wash followed by clear water rinsing and air drying should be
					 adequate. No disinfection is required. (These types of toys and equipment
					 include blocks, dolls, tricycles, trucks, and other similar toys.).
! Do not use wading pools for children in diapers.
! Water play tables can spread germs. To prevent
					 this:
* Disinfect the table with chlorine bleach solution before
					 filling it with water.
* Disinfect the all toys to be used in the table with
					 chlorine bleach solution. Avoid using sponge toys. They can trap bacteria and
					 are difficult to clean.
* Have all children wash their hands before and after
					 playing in the water table.
*Do not allow children with open sores or wounds to play in
					 the water table.
* Carefully supervise the children to make sure they do not
					 drink the water.
* Discard water after play is over
Washing and Disinfecting Bathroom and Other
					 Surfaces
Bathroom surfaces, such as faucet handles and toilet seats,
					 should be washed and disinfected several times a day, if possible, but at least
					 once a day or when soiled. The bleach and water solution or chlorine-containing
					 scouring powers or other commercial bathroom surface cleaner/disinfectants can
					 be used in these areas. Surfaces that infants and young toddlers are likely to
					 touch or mouth, such as crib rails, should be washed with soap and water and
					 disinfected with a nontoxic disinfectant, such as bleach solution, at least
					 once every day, more often if visibly soiled. After the surface has been
					 drenched or soaked with the disinfectant for at least 10 minutes, surfaces
					 likely to be mouthed should be thoroughly wiped with a fresh towel moistened
					 with tap water. Be sure not to use a toxic cleaner on surfaces likely to be
					 mouthed. Floors should be washed and disinfected at least once a day and
					 whenever soiled.
Washing and Disinfecting Diaper Changing
					 Areas
Diaper Changing Areas should:
* Only be used for changing diapers.
* Be smooth and nonporous, such as Formica (NOT
					 wood).
* Have a raised edge or low
D
fence
D
around the area to prevent a child from falling off.
* Be next to a sink with hot and cold running water.
* Not be used to prepare food, mix formula, or rinse
					 pacifiers.
* Be easily accessible to providers.
* Be out of reach of children.
Diaper changing areas should be cleaned and disinfected
					 after each diaper changer as follows:
* Clean the surface with soap and water and rinse with
					 clear water.
* Dry the surface with a paper towel.
* Thoroughly wet the surface with the recommended bleach
					 solution.
* Wipe dry with a clean disposable towel or air dry. If
					 using a commercial disinfectant/sanitizer, follow labeled manufacturer's
					 instructions.
Washing and Disinfecting Clothing, Linen, and
					 Furnishings
Do not wash or rinse clothing soiled with fecal material in
					 the child care setting. You may empty solid stool into the toilet, but be
					 careful not to splash or touch toilet water with your hands. Put the soiled
					 clothes in a plastic bag and seal the bag to await pick up by the child's
					 parent or guardian at the end of the day. Always wash your hands after handling
					 soiled clothing.
Explain to parents that washing or rinsing soiled diapers
					 and clothing increases the chances that you and the children may be exposed to
					 germs that cause diseases. Although receiving soiled clothes is not pleasant,
					 remind parents that this policy protects the health of all children and
					 providers. Each item of sleep equipment, including cribs, cots, mattresses,
					 blankets, sheets, etc., should be cleaned and sanitized before being assigned
					 to a specific child. The bedding items should be labeled with that child's
					 name, and should only be used by that child. Children shall not share bedding.
					 Infants
D
linens (sheets, pillowcases, blankets) shall be cleaned
					 and sanitized daily, and crib mattresses shall be cleaned and sanitized weekly
					 and when soiled or wet. Linens from beds of older children shall be laundered
					 at least weekly and whenever soiled. However, if a child inadvertently used
					 another child's bedding, you shall change the linen and mattress cover before
					 allowing the assigned child to use it again. All blankets shall be changed and
					 laundered routinely at least once a week.
Cleaning up Body Fluid Spills
Spills of body fluids, including blood, feces, nasal and
					 eyed discharges, saliva, urine, and vomit shall be cleaned up immediately. Wear
					 gloves unless the fluid can be easily contained by the material (e.g., paper
					 tissue or cloth) that is being used to clean it up. Be careful not to get any
					 of the fluid you are cleaning in your eyes, nose, mouth or any open sores you
					 may have. Clean and disinfect any surfaces, such as counter tops and floors, on
					 which body fluids have been spilled. Discard fluid-contaminated material in a
					 plastic bag that has been securely sealed. Mops used to clean up body fluids
					 should be (1) cleaned, (2) rinsed with a disinfecting solution, (3) wrung as
					 dry as possible, and (4) hung to dry completely. Be sure to wash your hands
					 after cleaning up any spill.
Source: The ABCs of Safe and Healthy Child Care: A Handbook
					 for Child Care Providers, Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Publi c
					 Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (as amended by
					 MSDH).
Miss. Code Ann. §
											43-20-8.