| Germs are invisible and they are just about | | | | needed. Pump soaps are great at avoiding this and |
| everywhere. When you or your child touch a | | | | kids love to use them. |
| doorknob, pick up a book or pet a dog, hands | | | | Towels also contain germs and it's a great idea to |
| pick up germs. | | | | change them daily for heavy use. Hanging them |
| While some germs have little effect, germs like | | | | up to dry also reduces the bacteria content of |
| E.Coli and Salmonella, can make people very sick. | | | | towels. |
| Since we can't tell the good germs from the bad, | | | | Children love to put things in their mouth and |
| we all need to wash our hands and ensure that | | | | fingers usually end up in there too. Encourage |
| our children wash their hands to protect ourselves. | | | | children at an early age to keep their fingers out |
| Parents need to lead by example and remind | | | | of their mouth to reduce germs. |
| children to wash hands, especially at the following | | | | Sometimes lots of handwashing can lead to dry |
| times: | | | | and chapped skin on the hands. These cracks can |
| After using the washroom | | | | let germs enter through the skin, but keeping a |
| After petting an animal | | | | hand lotion handy near the soap dish/pump and |
| After picking up after the family pet | | | | using a small amount after each washing will keep |
| After changing diapers | | | | hands looking better. |
| Before and after preparing food | | | | Of an utmost concerns, especially in terms of |
| Before eating | | | | petting zoos, is the possibility of the transmission |
| Before and after brushing your teeth | | | | of E. coli, a bacteria that can cause diarrhea |
| When returning home after an outing, especially if | | | | (including bloody diarrhea), stomach upset, |
| the visit was to a doctor's office. When using | | | | vomitting, fever and even hospitalization in severe |
| public restrooms for handwashing, try to avoid | | | | cases. |
| touching surfaces after washing. | | | | To reduce the risk of exposure to the E.coli |
| Hands need to be washed more often during the | | | | bacteria become aware of which animals pose the |
| cold and flu season, especially if someone with a | | | | greatest risk of transmitting the bacteria - |
| cold is around. | | | | examples include calves, pigs, young poultry, |
| In addition to washing hands, it's important that | | | | animal feces, raw eggs, raw milk and sick animals. |
| hands be washed thoroughly. Hands should be | | | | Wash hands immediately after handling, patting or |
| rubbed at least 15 seconds with soap and water. | | | | feeding animals and before any food consumption. |
| Attention should also be given to clean under the | | | | Carry antibacterial wipes for convenience. If |
| nails and any rings. Hands should also be dried | | | | handwashing facilities are used, supervise children |
| thoroughly with a clean towel. | | | | under 5 carefully. |
| While it is not necessary to use anti-bacterial | | | | Avoid communal basins for handwashing. |
| soap, ordinary soap should due, anti-bacterial | | | | Supervise young children closely. Children under |
| products do come in handy when soap and water | | | | five are more susceptible to the bacteria. Teach |
| is not available. | | | | children not to put anything in their mouth during |
| It's also important to ensure that where the soap | | | | the visit, including fingers, pacifiers that may have |
| sits is clean. Using bars of soap usually means that | | | | fallen on the ground, toys and any animal feed. |
| a soap dish is nearby. Soap dishes that drain allow | | | | Never allow the consumption of raw milk. Avoid |
| the soap to dry and reduce the chance of | | | | any food or beverage consumption near any |
| bacteria growing on the soap. If the soap dish | | | | animal interaction areas or prior to washing hands. |
| does not have a drain, a regular cleaning is | | | | |