What parents should know about keeping kids safe from viruses

If you have small children, a normal day can be tough when it comes to organising and making sure everyone is bathed, fed and doing what they need to. Add the chaos of a global health crisis, and managing small children can be almost impossible. So, to bring some normality and a sense of control back into your life, there are a few things you should know.

For the safety of your children and those around you and to help stop the spread of COVID-19, here are a few things you and your little ones can do:

General guidelines for kids of all ages

• Clean or wash hands frequently using a good quality soap product and water or alcohol-based hand sanitiser – mild baby soap is a great gentle option for little hands and skin.
• Avoid people who you know are sick or people who are coughing and sneezing.
• Put distance between your children and other people outside of your home – ideally between 1.5 and 2 meters.
• Wherever possible, keep your kids home and away from public spaces.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily, especially if members of the household are going to public settings. This includes areas such as tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, toilets, sinks and taps.
• Regularly launder toys, teethers and children’s accessories as needed. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or laundry advice. If possible, wash items using the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.

Because we know you can’t always manage this – there may be a scenario where you have to brave the outdoors with your little ones for which it’s important to be prepared.

For children older than 2 years of age

• Children 2 years and older should wear a cloth face covering that goes over their nose and mouth, especially in areas where it’s not easy to practice social distancing. Wearing a mask is an additional safety measure and should always be practised in addition to other safety precautions.

It can also be challenging to get small kids to wear masks, and age plays a significant factor in what your kids will comply with. The CDC notes that babies and children under 2 should not wear masks.

For Babies and Children Under 2

• Babywearing is ideal, so if your child is still small enough to fit in a baby carrier, face them towards you, keep them close and cover them with a light breathable blanket if necessary. Make sure not to cover the mouth and nose of your little one.
• Push your child in a pram with a cover. It’s ideal if you have a plastic cover or visor for your pram. If not, a breathable blanket or piece of fabric can also work. You can also put your pram’s awning down as far as it will go.

As a final safety precaution, when you do go out, launder all outwear, blankets and other garments that you have used to cover your little ones on an outing. Wash these items according to their care labels or detergent laundry advice. Prams, baby carriers and pushchairs should be sprayed with disinfectants and left out in the sun for an hour or two. For these items, you can also use a solution of Sunlight Anti-bacterial dishwashing liquid and water on surfaces, it’s ideal for cleaning and killing bacteria, to help reduce the spread of illnesses such as COVID-19 Coronavirus

Having a clear plan can take the anxiety out of a stressful situation. Take a look at these tips to help you formulate a plan and put some predictability back into your life.