COVID-19: 5 Key Precautions Parents Should Take to Protect Their Children

Ways to Protect your Children from Covid-19

This is the best time to inculcate positive hygiene practices in your children. This includes washing hands thoroughly, using hand sanitizer, the importance of personal hygiene, avoiding any sort of social gathering, especially if they want to play with other children.

Washing hands is very crucial-

Make sure your child washes their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, make sure your child uses a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Teach your child to cover all surfaces of their hands with hand sanitizer and rub their hands together until they feel dry. Adopt a proper way of washing your hands.

How to wash your hands?

Step 1: Wet Hands. Wet your hands and apply enough liquid soap to create a good lather.
Step 2: Rub Palms Together.
Step 3: Rub the Back of Hands.
Step 4: Interlink Your Fingers.
Step 5: Cup Your Fingers.
Step 6: Clean the Thumbs.
Step 7: Rub Palms with Your Fingers.

When to wash your hands?

Before, during, and after preparing food
Before and after eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage

Less interaction-

An important guiding principle to remember is that the more people your child interacts with, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of Covid-19 spread. While your child may be spending time with other people as they return to childcare or school settings, you should limit your child’s interactions with additional children and adults outside of childcare or school to decrease risk.

Wear a double mask-

Now during this second wave of Covid-19, it is advisable to wear a double mask. Make sure your mask fits snugly against your face. This is important because a mask that does not fit properly can leak respiratory droplets in and out, making it ineffective. A mask with layers offers better protection, as it creates a stronger barrier for respiratory droplets.

How to wear a double mask?

Cloth masks alone are not recommended, but pairing them with a surgical mask drastically increases the effectiveness. Doing this is very simple, too. First, wear the surgical mask and then the cloth mask on top of it. The second method is to knot the ear loops of a 3-ply surgical mask. Another important aspect to consider while choosing a face mask is that it should have a nose wire. Good quality surgical masks come with an embedded nose wire on one side. When you wear the mask, push the nose wire so it closes any gaps that may be present.

Keep on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces-

Frequently touched surfaces include tables, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, and sinks. Clean with detergent or soap and water or use a disinfectant. Clean high-touch surfaces regularly (for example, daily) and after you have visitors in your home. Focus on high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, handles, light switches, and countertops. Clean other surfaces in your home when they are visibly dirty or as needed. Clean them more frequently if people in your household are more likely to get very sick from Covid-19. You might also choose to disinfect. Clean surfaces using a product suitable for each surface, following instructions on the product label.

Stay at home-

Because travel increases your child’s chances of coming in contact with others who may have Covid-19 and your child spreading the virus that causes Covid-19 to others if they are infected, staying home is the best way to protect your child and others from getting sick.

Educate your child

To cover the mouth and nose with a tissue or flexed elbow while coughing and sneezing. Dispose the used tissue immediately and wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub. Do not touch any objects or face after coughing or sneezing.

Establish a routine

A routine that is age-appropriate and can be followed easily. You can include play and reading time, and use them as learning opportunities for your kids.

Also published on Medium.