|
Steps the Family Resource Center is Taking Now to Prevent the Spread of Flu
At this time, program staff and families and children who are NOT sick can safely come to the FRC Learning Through Play Groups. We are working closely with the North Central Health District and will keep you updated with any important information regarding the current flu conditions.
The following steps are being taken at our program to help keep children and staff from getting sick with flu.
- Encouraging our staff to get vaccinated for seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu (if recommended) when vaccines become available.
- Encouraging parents to have children (6 months of age and older) vaccinated for seasonal flu and H1N1, when the vaccines become available. Children under the age of 5 years are at higher risk for flu complications.
- Staff, children and families are educated and encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, and are teaching children how to do the same.
- Staff are practicing good hand hygiene and we are providing the time and supplies for families and children to wash their hands as often as necessary. We are asking parents/caregivers to clean their hands with hand sanitizer (located on the right immediately upon entering Playgroup Classroom) upon entering the classroom. Please do not use hand sanitizer with children under age 5. We have hand wipes in the classroom to clean children’s hands before snack and as needed. Parents and caregivers may also use the sink in the adult bathroom on the main floor. PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING HAND WIPES TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY.
- We are asking parents and staff to keep themselves and children home if they have flu-like illness. They should stay home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius measured by mouth), or signs of a fever (chills, feeling very warm, a flushed appearance, or sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
- We are frequently cleaning surfaces and items that children touch with their hands, mouths, and body fluids such as toys and chairs. We ask parents to place any toys that children put in their mouths in the “Toys to be Washed” bucket in the room.
- We may consider temporarily closing the program if we are unable to continue to operate because many staff and children are at home or if the CDC or our health department asks us to close to help decrease the spread of flu in our community.
For additional information about flu, call 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit www.flu.gov.
|