As the summer season quickly approaches, many families are making their plans for the break. If summer camp is a part of those plans, it is important to talk to your child about safety precautions such as summer camp personal hygiene.
Talk to Your Child About Proper Personal Hygiene
Whether you are sending your child to a sleepaway camp or keeping them local, it is normal for children to want to relax during the summer. However, it is up to parents to remind them that there are some matters that still require their full attention.
Sending your child off to camp might be cause for worry, especially if it is their first time away from home. A great way to put your worries at ease is to talk to them about the importance of personal hygiene and to provide them with a daily hygiene routine checklist.
According to the U.S. Health News, the most common communicable illnesses at camps are the common cold, a sore throat or the flu. By having your child practice healthy hygiene habits at home, you can help them develop a healthy routine, which will go a long way in preventing illness.
6 Summer Camp Personal Hygiene Tips
Here are six summer camp personal hygiene reminders to share with your child:
- Wash your hands thoroughly. – With bacteria and viruses, such as the coronavirus, spreading, it is crucial to wash your hands often and thoroughly. The minimal amount of time to thoroughly wash your hands is 20 seconds. Help keep track of time by singing songs. For example, if you sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice as you are washing your hands, you will meet the time requirement.
- Keep hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes in your bag. – Keep germs at bay by having hand sanitizer on you at all times. The use of hand sanitizer is not a replacement for hand washing, but it will help limit the spread of germs. Also, remember to pack antibacterial wipes to clean surfaces including seats and countertops.
- Do not share personal items. – Most children are prone to sharing personal items such as clothing or styling tools. However, it is important to explain to your child that sharing personal items such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, or clothes can spread unwanted bacteria causing a potential hazard to their overall health.
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. – Whether you have an itch in your throat or feel you have a cold coming, always remember to cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze. If you do not have tissues at hand, avoid using your hands to cover your mouth. Instead, cough or sneeze into your inner elbow.
- Don’t forget dental hygiene. – Brushing your teeth is often an activity that kids put off, even at home. While away at camp parents might worry about their kids properly keeping up with their dental hygiene. Remind your children about the importance of brushing their teeth and encourage them to do so with friends so it does not seem like such a hassle.
- Shower properly. – Make sure your child has enough body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and face wash to keep them squeaky clean during shower time. Talk with them about how to properly wash-up. Packing a pair of sandals is also a great idea to protect them from any germs found on the shower floors.
For additional assistance, we have designed a “Daily Camp Checklist” for your child to reference during their time at camp.
At Panter, Panter, and Sampedro, we are committed to the safety of the members of our community. If you believe your child might have faced a serious personal injury due to negligence at camp, consider speaking with an attorney. You may be eligible for compensation. Call our office for a complimentary consultation at (305) 662-6178.
References:
https://icanteachmychild.com/summer-camp-packing-list-and-printable-hygiene-checklist/
