Health Tip: Preventing Illness at Day Care

Precautions can reduce the spread of germs

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(HealthDay News) -- Day care centers harbor germs that can be difficult to contain.

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The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests these ways to reduce the spread of illness at day care centers:

• Teach your child, if old enough, to wash his hands after using the bathroom.
• Keep your child home if he is sick.
• Breastfeeding your baby can help strengthen her immune system, which could lower her chances of getting sick.
• The day care center should have strict policies and employee training on ways to reduce germs.
• Diaper changing or disposal should never occur near food preparation.
• All employees and children should be required to have regular immunizations.

-- Diana Kohnle