This is the #1 thing your kids shouldn’t touch at the pediatrician’s office

Want to get more out of thing kids shouldn touch without the guesswork? Below we walk through the essentials in plain language, with practical steps you can use right away.

Key Takeaways

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is out with new recommendations for preventing the spread of illness when you bring your children to the pediatrician.
• One particular problem area that requires special attention should come as no surprise to anyone: The toy area in your pediatrician’s waiting room.
• Worth noting: so what’s a parent to do?
• But there is one large no-no when it comes to selecting a toy to bring: Skip the stuffed or plush animals.

How Thing Kids Shouldn Touch Really Works

RELATED: 10 of the best children’s hospitals in America The yuck factor is high in the waiting room In an October 23 post, AAP reiterates its call for strict infection control in all outpatient facilities and doctor’s offices that cater to kids. Those toys, books and video game systems are major source of disease transmission. “Pathogenic bacteria have been recovered from toys in ambulatory waiting areas, and contaminated toys used for water play have been implicated in an outbreak of P. aeruginosa infection in a hospital,” researchers write in a paper presented before the AAP.

The AAP recommends bringing a child’s personal books or toys to occupy them so they don’t have to touch aspects in the shared play area. Toys should be disposable or washable, according to the AAP , not furry or plush.

Getting the Most From Thing Kids Shouldn Touch

More importantly, that’s since it’s much more difficult to clean the latter kind of toy effectively. Meanwhile, if a toy claims it’s made to be antibacterial, don’t believe the hype. “The value of antibacterial agents incorporated within toys is unproven,” the AAP notes.

The new recommendations call for pediatrician’s offices to ideally clean all shared toys between uses. But the AAP concedes that a daily cleaning at the end of the day is acceptable, too.

Tips That Make a Difference

Remember that a freshly prepared cleaning solution made of bleach diluted with water to a 1:100 strength is preferable. Get paid to get a flu shot Finally, if you’re interested in getting yourself or your child a flu shot this season, a couple of retailers offer free gift cards when to do so.

CVS is offering a $5 off coupon on non-pharmacy purchases with a minimum purchase of $25. And if you live in a territory serviced by Southeast regional grocer Publix, they’re offering a free $10 gift card when you get your flu shot.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As a rule, rELATED: Clark Howard opens up about life-threatening health scare The best method to save for a child’s education [anvplayer video=”4116393″ station=”998267″].

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on thing kids shouldn touch?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. Those toys, books and video game systems are major source of disease transmission. “Pathogenic bacteria have been recovered from toys in ambulatory waiting areas, and contaminated toys used for water play have been impli....

Is it worth shopping around for thing kids shouldn touch?

Usually yes. The AAP recommends bringing a child’s personal books or toys to occupy them so they don’t have to touch aspects in the shared play area.

What should I check before buying?

Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. Toys should be disposable or washable, according to the AAP , not furry or plush.

Smart Ways to Save More on Thing Kids Shouldn Touch

• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.
• Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line on thing kids shouldn touch: a little research goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is a click away.

Originally published at clark.com.