JMU - Health and Safety Resources
Health and Safety Resources
H1N1 FLU PRECAUTIONS
Because the flu threat this year is more serious than in recent years, it is important for families and schools to work together to prevent the spread of this aggressive virus. Many of the recommendations from health officials are standard practice at the YCP. These include frequent handwashing, sanitizing table and counter surfaces after each class session, washing toys and dress-up hats regularly, and encouraging children and adults to contain germs when they sneeze or wipe their noses. Personal precautions are more effective if families reinforce the following practices with their children:
*The adult who brings your child to school should assist him or her in washing hands upon arrival. This is a routine everyone follows before handling toys or other school materials. The children wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day, including after outdoor play (just before leaving to go home).
*Help your child learn to sneeze "into your elbow" if a tissue is not readily available.
*When tissues are used, remind your child that they should be placed in a trash can and hands should be washed before returning to play.
Symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. Children who exhibit any of these symptoms should stay at home and avoid contact with others until they have been without a fever (100 degrees) for 24 hours--WITHOUT the use of fever-reducing medications. If a child has any of these symptoms at school, a person listed on the emergency contact form will be called immediately and expected to pick up the child as soon as possible. We will do our best to separate the child from others in the class until a responsible adult arrives. Please be patient if we err on the side of caution with this practice...knowing that our desire is to keep everyone safe and healthy.
The Center for Disease Control provides excellent information in the publication Guidance on Helping Child Care and Early Childhood Programs Respond to Influenza during the 2009-2010 Influenza Season. You are encouraged to read this document so we can all be aware of precautions that can protect our children, staff, and families.
Links to other information on flu prevention:
"Take 3" Steps to Fight the Flu
Seasonal & Novel H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents
Letter to YCP Families (9-09)
The Bright Futures website is comprised of a series of themes, such as promoting mental health, healthy weight, oral health, safety and injury prevention, and child development. Each theme includes information from infancy to late adolescence.
Additionally, the site describes well-child care in terms of periodic visits to the health care professional. Each visit addresses the recommended physical examination and any tests appropriate for that age.
Bright Futures is built on the principle that parents and families should be active partners in the well-child care their children receive from health care professionals. The web site is composed of a series of videos (three to five minutes in length) that "personify" the Bright Futures information. Each video has an accompanying text of similar information that can be printed. There is also a section of the site where additional information, such as brochures and fact sheets, is posted.
