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AAAAA-CHOOO!
- Keeping a Healthy Home
 As cold season begins, it's important to remember that regular cleaning
and disinfecting household surfaces can reduce the spread of cold-causing
germs. As a child care provider, you are working with an at-risk
population: over 50% of preschool children are now in some type of child
care.
Although we know that personal hygiene plays a role in good health, we
don't generally think about household surfaces in the spread of infectious
diseases. We know that many germs are capable of surviving from a few
hours up to three days on moist surfaces; some germs are capable of
growing to large numbers in a short time; and very few viruses are needed
to cause an infection.
Surfaces play a major role in transmission of germs among children in
group care situations. Some germs are easily transferred from surfaces to
hands, and then, by touching, to our eyes, nose, or mouth. Contaminated
surfaces also transfer bacteria, like salmonella, by direct contact with
food or from hand to food during food preparation.
Regular cleaning and proper disinfecting are two simple ways to reduce the
spread of disease. First clean surfaces to remove dirt and food particles
where microorganisms can grow; then kill germs with disinfectants. A
simple disinfecting solution for tables, counters, and food preparation
equipment is 1 tablespoon liquid bleach in 1 quart of warm water or 1/4
cup liquid bleach in 1 gallon warm water. Wash surfaces with a detergent
solution, and rinse with water. Then apply the disinfecting solution with
a paper towel, and allow to air dry.
Remember, germs on surfaces can cause illness. Keep surfaces clean to help
yourself and the children in your care stay healthy this winter!
Reprinted with permission from the National Network for
Child Care - NNCC.
(1993). Aaaaa-chooo! In M. Lopes (Ed.) CareGiver News (December, p.4).
Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension.
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