How to avoid your kid getting sick

How to avoid your kid getting sick

By Babysits
4 min read

Every year parents are faced with the dilemma of their children falling ill to the latest virus or flu. Schools and playgrounds are hotspots for germs. Babysits wants to ensure that babysitters, nannies, parents, and children are protected from these potential illnesses by providing simple steps towards prevention. Below we have created some proactive actions you can implement into your daily routine to prevent the spread of germs!

With the help of the World Health Organization (source: WHO, 2019) we wanted to provide you with kid-friendly ways to help your children feel empowered and germ-free!

1. Be a Wash Warrior

We all know how important it is to wash your hands, but do you wash correctly?

how to wash your hands correctly

  • Wet your hands under warm water
  • Apply soap and rub palms together to ensure you get a good lather
  • Spread the soap onto the back of your hands, do not forget to rub in between your fingers
  • Grip your fingers in a cup and rub together
  • Ensure you include your thumbs
  • Use the tips of your fingers to rub the palms of your hands, cleaning both your fingertips and your palms together
  • Rinse and dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel
  • It is important to wash your hands regularly, especially after using the toilet and before you eat food

2. Miss Tissue is our Friend

The best thing you can do to prevent germs spreading is to have a barrier when those ticklish noses start twitching. Before you start sneezing, grab a tissue and use it to cover your mouth and nose. It is also important to cover your mouth when coughing, persistent or not, it can prevent those around you from getting sick or inhaling any germs. You can teach your kids how to fold their fresh tissues into a cute animal, just make sure you throw those sticky tissues in the nearest bin once used. If your kids don’t have tissues, teach them to sneeze and cough into the crook of their elbow instead of their hands. Doing the ‘dab’ has a health-conscious purpose!

3. Keep yourself home

If your symptoms are affecting your daily routine or work/school habits then it’s time to stay at home and rest. In an effort to not spread your germs to other children and families, stay home and recover. You can find plenty of fun activities to do to keep busy if you are laying in bed feeling bored. If you are a babysitter and are feeling ill, try to let the family know as far in advance as you can so they can make arrangements before the designated time. It is not a good idea to babysit any family whilst you are sick.

4. Keep your distance

It is important to always keep your distance from those that are feeling unwell. Try to avoid any contact with people who are sick or have the flu. On the other hand, if you are sick, try to avoid touching others. Think about the surfaces you touch and if it’s something that needs a wipe down afterwards. When a person sneezes or coughs, little germ drops are sprayed into the air and if you’re close by you can inhale them into your body through your mouth nose and eyes, potentially causing you to get sick.

5. Keep out of your eyes, nose, and mouth

Your eyes, nose, and mouth are full of mucous that can easily pull in unwanted germs. During times when viruses are floating around, it’s critical to remember to keep your hands away from your face. If you feel an itch, wash your hands before and after you touch your face.

6. Germ parade

Here is a great way to show children how germs travel. Get a bottle of hand sanitizer and mix in a teaspoon of glitter. Squirt a little in your hand and a little in your child's hand. Touch a dark-colored surface or a black shirt and ask if they can see the sparkles. Explain to them that when they sneeze into their hands and touch things, it leaves behind little germs. Pretend that the glitter left on the things they touch is germs. This is an amazing way to show children how easy it is to spread germs. Children will have a better understanding after they see this mini-experiment.


Babysitters, children, and parents can follow these tricks to avoid sickness all year round. Babysits hopes these tips can help you and your family stay happy and healthy.

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