Whether after school or during summer break, it’s important to teach your kids about health and safety practices. Some of these habits include wearing a face mask, washing their hands, and using hand sanitizer. Learn tips on how to do this, and purchase the PPE face masks you need for you and your children from Rhino Medical Supply.
Show Them How to Put On, Take Off, and Wear a Mask
A vital health and safety practice is wearing a face mask in public. Show your child how to put it on, take it off, and wear it correctly. Make sure your child handles their mask by the drawstrings or ear loops to prevent contaminating the mask itself. Have them wear their mask over their mouth and nose, and avoid touching it as much as possible while wearing it. If they wear a single-use PPE face mask, make sure they dispose of it and grab a new one after they’ve removed it.
Explain Why It’s Important
It can help to explain to your child why they need to wear a mask, and reassure them that everything is okay. By explaining that wearing a mask helps prevent germs from spreading that make others sick, your child will be more willing to practice this habit.
Make It Fun
Another way to help them practice wearing a mask is to make it a game or craft. Play doctor, practice putting masks on stuffed animals, and have them decorate their masks or help them make their own.
Practice Proper Hand-Washing
Practicing proper hand-washing techniques will always be important. If you have double sinks, practice washing your hands with your child so they can learn by example. Follow these steps with them:
- Wet your hands with warm water.
- Apply a quarter-size amount of soap to your palm and rub your hands together until the soap becomes foamy.
- Scrub your hands for 20 seconds, and remember to wash your palms, the back of your hands, in between your fingers, and underneath your fingernails. Sing a short song like the ABCs or Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
- Rinse your hands under warm, running water.
- Dry your hands on a clean towel.
Remind them to wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, after blowing their nose, and after coming home from school or outside.
Teach Them About Hand Sanitizer
Another practice to teach them about is using hand sanitizer. Remind them to use hand sanitizer if they are unable to wash their hands. Instruct them to squirt a quarter-size amount of hand sanitizer into their palm. Have them rub their hands together, spreading the hand sanitizer onto both of their palms, the back of their hands, and in between their fingers until their hands are dry again.