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Don't touch that ball!
My son’s high school locker room looks and smells like, well, a high school locker room. It's nose cocktail of sweat, Axe and old cheese not only hints at its germ-laden condition, but they are currently trying to stave off a contagious skin infection from making its way around the team. So when these tips to avoid MRSA and other infectious diseases in sports equipment landed in my inbox, I found it particularly timely and important to share.
According to the website StopMRSANow.org, athletes in particular should be careful with their equipment. They recommend:
Scrub up: Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Wipe it down: Use a disinfecting bleach solution to wipe down and disinfect hard surfaces. (1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 gallon of water or as directed on label)
Cover your cuts: Keep any nicks or wounds covered with a clean, dry bandage until healed.
Keep to yourself: Do not share personal items, like towels or razors, that come into contact with bare skin.
Use a barrier: Keep a towel or clothing between skin and shared equipment.
Don’t play dirty: Wash children’s athletic clothing after each use, using the warmest wash recommended and adding bleach when appropriate.
The Mayo Clinic also suggests to shower (no baths) immediately after athletic events, and not to share towels.
Implementing these practices could help ensure that a win is the only thing your child will be bringing home from the game.
~ Tracey Henry, the Suburban Diva
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Raising children isn't easy. Whoa, Momma! is here to help you with parenting tips and discussion of all parenting issues. We think there's no such thing as TMI, so our blogging moms aren't shy about the hot topics and won't back away from a good debate. Bottle or breastfeed? Public, private or homeschool? And sex -- it's all open for comment. Don't sit on the sidelines -- pull up a bouncy seat and join the chat.
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Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.
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Freelance writer Courtney Cairns Pastor wasn’t so sure about having kids and how she would balance child-rearing with her journalism career. It turned out that her journalism training went to good use. As the mom to a funny, active toddler, she learned to handle him like she did her sources. Never ask yes or no questions (the answer will always be no), get him to be specific (are you crying because you’re wet or your tooth hurts?) and be prepared for anything because no two days are the same. When she’s not playing trucks, Courtney crams for her book club, trains for races and occasionally bursts into showtunes. E-mail her at