ICKY OFFICE GERMS

• YOUR PHONE.

You never know who borrows your phone, and you transfer germs to the receiver every time you touch it. Clean it daily with disinfecting wipes or alcohol.

• YOUR DESK.

It has 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat does! Disinfect it once a day - and always before you decide to eat your lunch off it.

• THE WATER FOUNTAIN.

It's an ideal breeding ground for germs since it never has a chance to dry. Bring bottled water to work instead.

• THE MICROWAVE DOOR HANDLE.

Almost everyone in an office puts their hands on this at some point. Be sure to wash up after you use the microwave.

• YOUR KEYBOARD.

Others may use it when you are out of the office. Wipe it and your mouse with disinfecting wipes or alcohol.

Let's Define Difficult

• Overly EMOTIONAL

Some children just can't calm themselves down, especially when they're feeling more than one negative emotion (such as sadness and anxiety). They have a particularly tough time with unfamiliar situations and changes. It doesn't help when you get angry or frustrated-even if you're convinced that your child is being irrational. The best thing to do is anticipate events that may be difficult, and then try to prepare them. For instance, if a new babysitter is coming over, plan to stay home for a while before you leave so you can help the two of them get acquainted.

• Highly ENERGETIC

Children with super-high energy levels tend to get themselves into trouble. Make sure that your child has periods of active play every day so he can burn off steam. To keep him from creating havoc when you're in public, always carry little diversions in your bag. If you're going to travel, for example, bring games and books, It's probably not a good idea to take a young child like this to a nice restaurant. In general, try to pick your battles: as long as your child isn't destroying things or doing something that's dangerous, just let him run around a bit.

• Totally IMPATIENT

If your child have a short fuse, it's crucial for you to stay calm. Resist the temptation to yell and threaten. Constant nagging and harsh consequences might actually make the situation worse. Instead, set clear rules that involve mild punishments. If your child breaks a rule, one night of no TV or five minutes of time-out will have an impact. A week of no TV or an hour of time-out will just make your child resentful-and probably won't change the behavior, which is your main objective.

Playground Do's & Don'ts

Many children end up in the emergency room each year with playground injuries. Here are some do's and don'ts for them to stay safe.

• Do watch your kids at all times while they are playing.
• Do make sure that there is a six foot border in every direction around stationary equipments, like ladders, to absorb the force of the child's fall.
• Do check on equipments to make sure that it has no missing parts, splintering wood, hanging ropes, protruding or rusted hardware, or peeling paints which could contain lead.
• Do look for swings with soft rubber seats and stay away from wooden or metal ones which can accidentally injure kids who are walking by.
• Do measure spaces between guardrails on all equipments. The gap should be either less than three and a half inches or more than nine inches so that a child's head or neck can't get trapped.
• Do make sure that they washes their hands or uses antibacterial gels or alcohols as soon as you leave the park, and don't allow them to eat there.

• Don't put children on a swing set that has three or more swings in one bay, swings that are less than two feet apart, or swings with less than 30 inches clearance from the swing set's frame.
• Don't put your child on your lap while going down the slide. His/her feet or legs could get caught between your body and the slide.
• Don't let chidren on a swing with S hooks with spaces between them, their clothes could get caught and cause an injury.
• Don't let children play on equipments that is meant for older kids, like the horizontal ladders. If they can't reach the structure by themselves, they shouldn't be using it.
• Don't let children wear a hooded shirt or jacket, because the drawstrings could get caught on equipment and accidentally strangle them.
• Don't let children go barefoot, they could get cut and pick germs.

Totally Clean Toddlers

Children's immune system becomes stronger after their first birthday and it is well developed by the time they are ready for school. But they get exposed to germs more when they are in Preschool and playdates.

Checklist for your Toddlers.

1. Give him a hand. Make clean hands a habit early on and they will become second nature to your child.
2. Teach Germ warfare. Teach them how to sneeze into the crook of their elbow and to cover their mouth when they cough to prevent the spread of bacteria. Use clean tissue everytime theyhave to blow their nose, throw it away and towash their hands everytime.
3. Sanitize toys. Wash kids toys from time to time including their stuff toys and animals.
4. Always have wipes and alcohol or hand sanitizers ready with you. Either you are going to the park or to the mall, always have these things ready to wipe their hands, they are just as effective at cleaning hands.
5. Get them into the tub. Daily baths are a good idea for your toddlers, but avoid over scrubbing them as this can damage the skin;sprotective layer and leave it vulnerable to infection.
6. Be pet safe. Cats and dogs transmit germs thru their feces which catch on their fur. Your child can get sick if they stroke your pets fur or if your pet lick them. Remind them to wash their hands after petting or touching. Groom your pet regularly.
7. Inspect your day-care center. Make sure the bathrooms has warm water running, soap and paper towels.
8. Cover up cuts. Germs can enter the body thru an open wound. dab it with anti bacterial ointment and put bandage if needed.