- 10 October, 2006 -

Encourage care providers and children to use soap and water to wash hands when hands are visibly soiled, or an alcohol-based hand rub when soap and water are not available, and hands are not visibly soiled. Encourage care providers to wash their hands to the extent possible between contacts with infants and children, such as before meals or feedings, after wiping the child's nose or mouth, after touching objects such as tissues or surfaces soiled with saliva or nose drainage, after diaper changes, and after assisting a child with toileting. Encourage care providers to wash the hands of infants and toddlers when the hands become soiled. Encourage children to wash hands when their hands have become soiled. Teach children to wash hands for 15-20 seconds (long enough for children to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice). Oversee the use of alcohol-based hand rubs by children and avoid using these on the sensitive skin of infants and toddlers. Rub hands thoroughly until the alcohol has dried, when using alcohol-based hand rub. Keep alcohol-based hand rubs out of the reach of children to prevent unsupervised use. Ensure that sink locations and restrooms are stocked with soap, paper towels or working hand dryers. Ensure that each child care room and diaper changing area is supplied with alcohol-based hand rub when sinks for washing hands are not readily accessible. Alcohol-based hand rubs are not recommended when hands are visibly soiled. Keep the child care environment clean and make sure that supplies are available. Clean frequently touched surfaces, toys, and commonly shared items at least daily and when visibly soiled. Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered household disinfectant labeled for activity against bacteria and viruses, an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant, or EPA-registered chlorine bleach/hypochlorite solution. Always follow label instructions when using any EPA-registered disinfectant. If EPA-registered chlorine bleach is not available and a generic (i.e., store brand) chlorine bleach is used, mix ? cup chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of cool water. Keep disinfectants out of the reach of children. For more information visit www.cdc.gov See the complete line of cleaning and disinfecting products and hand sanitizing gel that Aire-Master offers and "Stop Spreading the Flu!"

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