5 Ways to Keep Children Safe from Illnesses

Now that the world has opened back up and children are back at school, it is very important for parents to do all they can to protect their kids’ health. 

And while you may not be able to fully protect them from all ailments, you surely can try to make sure that they are always in good health. In this article, we’ll be sharing some vital tips that will help keep the kids safe from the majority of ailments, particularly the contagious ones. 

Get Them to Wash Their Hands Frequently

Covid-19 is still a big deal. Therefore, parents need to mandate their kids to always wash their hands with soap and water after they’ve been in a public place. For instance, once they come back from school, the first thing they should do is wash their hands. 

Also, hand them hand sanitizers so that they can periodically disinfect their hands while outside, and remind them to use them. Ask them to also stop touching the face, nose, eyes, mouth, and ears until they’ve washed or sanitized their hands. Sure, kids will not strictly adhere to these instructions, but when they remember, they’ll do them.  

Eliminate Disease Vectors from the Household

Some insects and animals are disease vectors and when they are in the household, they can cause illnesses. Examples include cockroaches, mosquitoes, rats, mice, and many others. Periodically fumigate or disinfect the home to eliminate these pests. 

For instance, if you have a mosquito problem, use mosquito control pesticides and chemicals to eliminate them. Some mosquitoes are carriers of the Zika virus which can lead to developmental issues in children and causes flat head syndrome.  Or hire the right pest control services to get rid of them from the home and the surrounding. 

Speaking of the surroundings, make sure that the grasses are well mowed, the trees and hedges well-trimmed, remove all stagnant water, and dispose of your waste properly. This will minimize their breeding grounds and hopefully, reduce their population. 

Yearly Vaccination for the Flu

Even if your children have been vaccinated, you need to make sure that they get their flu shots once a year. 

This will help their bodies fight off the flu in the event of an infection, and help them stay healthy during flu season. And even if they were to come down with the flu, the symptoms won’t be as severe as they would be without the flu shot. 

Teach Them to Avoid Sharing Things

Conditions such as stomach flu are caused by ingesting food made by someone who has the stomach virus or sharing contaminated food or other items like spoons, forks, plates, and water bottles. 

Tell your children to avoid sharing things with other people. Children who contract the stomach bug often end up having severe abdominal pains, frequent vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and cramps. 

Teach Them to Avoid People Who Are Ill

If they observe that someone is ill in their class or around them, tell them to always avoid such people. It doesn’t matter if the person is sneezing, coughing, or having a fever. As long as the person is ill, they need to stay away from them.