Sponsored By: American Cleaning Institute
It’s a fact, kids are gross. I mean they’re cute and all, but if yours are anything like mine, it’s not uncommon to find one with a finger up their nose or another one running out of the bathroom having just touched the toilet lid. There is no better time to start teaching our littles good habits now to help prevent our kids from getting sick and stay healthy!
American Cleaning Institute would like parents of children 5 and younger to begin to learn good hand hygiene from the start. It’s also important for parents to demonstrate good behaviors, as well as follow safe practices when using and storing cleaning products where and when children are present.
We’re already deep into cold and flu season – but it’s never too late to start protecting yourself. Easy step? Keep your hands clean. Consider this: 65% of U.S. parents of children ages 5 and under don’t always wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, according to a new survey by Wakefield Research for the American Cleaning Institute. Any less than that and you could be leaving gross flu germs behind and spreading them to others.
And learning hand hygiene begins long before children can read and write. ACI offers parents five Finger Tips to help prevent their young ones from getting sick, spreading illness and missing school.
- Set a good example by washing your own hands often and properly.
- Teach kids to soap up for at least 20 seconds, rinsing and drying completely.
- Explain to kids the reasons they should wash up, to keep from getting sick and spreading germs.
- Tell kids when to wash, such as after using the bathroom, while cooking and after touching animals, blowing your nose, coughing and sneezing.
- Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizers or gels or antibacterial wipes on hand for when soap and water are unavailable.
How are you teaching your kids healthy habits?
:: GIVEAWAY ALERT :: Comment below with your own cleaning/hygiene tips and you could win $100 Visa gift card!!!
I am teaching my son by my example and always carrying a hand sanitizer, wipes when we are out and about and constantly using them. When he goes to his peds appointment, I wipe down the toys before we use them.
I’m constantly trying get to get my little one to not put her fingers in icky places.
We make a big deal out of washing hands- it became easier to get them to participate when they discovered the automatic soap dispenser. Now washing hands is fun!
I love the tip about counting to 20 when they’re washing their hands I’m going to have to try that and it’s a good way to help them work on their numbers
Great reminder to be on top of this during the cold season
I always have my kids wash their hands and I carry hand sanitizer in my purse. I make sure to tell the kids to sneeze into their arm instead of covering their mouths with their hand.
To make him excited s out hand washing my son helps me choose several hand soap fragrances from Bath and Body Works. And then we routinely and concistently wash hands after coming home from school and/or outdoors (besides after using the restroom). He knows the drill.
good old handing washing can’t be beat! Also, no touching ANYTHING in the doctors office, not even the arm rail of the chair or elevator buttons.
My 1 year old loves washing and drying his own hands. Great practice for good hygiene and independence!
My 1 year old loves washing and drying his own hands. Great practice for hygiene and independence!