How to Prevent Your Child from Catching a Cold
The weather is getting cooler and it’s getting dark earlier in the day. That means that cold and flu season is right around the corner. These are some simple ways and easy reminders that will prevent your child- and you- from catching a cold.
· Encourage them to wash their hands often. Washing their hands frequently will kill any germs they have picked up from touching objects at home or school.
· Teach your children to refrain from touching their face. It is easy to pick up germs on your hands by touching objects or people. Touching your face with unclean hands will increase your child’s chance of getting sick dramatically. If your child needs to touch their face for any reason, encourage them to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer beforehand.
· Make sure they get enough rest. Getting a good night of sleep will have their bodies fighting potential illnesses at full strength.
· Place a bottle of hand sanitizer in your child’s backpack. This will make cleaning their hands easy if they do not have easy access to a bathroom. Let them know a little goes a long way and a bottle will last a good chunk of the school year. They are usually affordable and can save you and your child a trip to the doctor.
· Encourage them not to eat or drink after others, especially if they are sick or feeling under the weather.
· Cancel playdates if either child is feeling under the weather. The last thing you want is for your child or the child you are visiting to pass along a cold. You can always reschedule for another date when both children are feeling up to it.
· Teach your child to cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough. That way they can prevent spreading germs to others and hopefully other children will do the same.
· Good diet and exercise. This goes hand in hand with getting a good night’s sleep. Healthy habits will keep your immune system running strong and will put up the best defense when fighting off germs that can make your child sick.
Be sure to keep your child home from school in the event that they are sick. That will stop the cold from spreading to other children. If your child is running a fever, be sure to schedule an appointment for them to see their doctor or pediatrician.