How to protect small children from COVID-19 – keeping under 2’s safe

Importantly, children under two years of age have very different precautions to consider when it comes to virus protection. For the safety of your small children and to do your part to help slow the spread of COVID-19, here are a few things you and your little ones can do:

General tips to keep little ones safe

• Regularly wash your hands using soap and water. A cleanser such as a mild baby soap is a gentle choice for little hands and skin.
• If you cannot wash your hands with soap and water, an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol like Lifebuoy Hand Sanitizer Total 10 can help to kill germs on your hands.
• Overall, consistent personal hygiene practices can help to protect you.
• Avoid people who are sick or people who are coughing and sneezing or showing other signs and symptoms of illness.
• Put physical distance between your children and people outside of your home – ideally between 1.5 and 2 meters.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces regularly, this includes areas such as tables, chairs, handles, switches, remotes, toilets, sinks and taps. This is especially important if members of the household are going into public spaces or are performing essential services.
• A consistent and thorough cleaning schedule can help to prevent the spread of germs.
• Regularly clean toys, teethers and children’s accessories. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, cleaning guidelines or laundry advice of each item. If possible, wash items using the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items thoroughly before use.

Wherever possible, keep your kids home and away from public spaces. Because this is not always doable – it’s important to be prepared when entering public settings. Children that are  2 years and older, should wear a cloth face covering that goes over their nose and mouth where possible, especially in areas where it’s not easy to practice social distancing. Wearing a mask is part of a holistic safety approach to virus prevention and should always be carried out along with other safety precautions. The CDC notes that babies and children under 2 should not wear masks.

For Babies and Children Under 2

• Babywearing is a good option for parents if children are small enough to fit in a baby carrier. Ideally, face them towards you, keep them close and cover them with a light breathable blanket. Make sure to keep their mouth and nose unobstructed at all times.
• If you have one, you can push your child in a pram or pushcart with a cover. It’s ideal if you have a plastic or fabric cover or visor for your pram. If not, a breathable blanket or piece of lightweight material can also work.

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. Wash these items according to their care labels or detergent laundry advice. Prams, baby carriers and pushchairs should be sprayed with disinfectants. For these items, you can also use a solution of Sunlight Anti-bacterial and water, it’s ideal for killing germs and cleaning. Having a clear plan can help to take the angst out of a stressful situation such as taking your baby out in public during the global health crisis. Take a look at these hygiene and house cleaning tips to help you formulate a plan and put some predictability back into your life. This article was provided by NP Digital.