Roden Mom, Infectious Disease specialist and all-round great person, Carly Rebelo has put together these extra tips on Masks for kids. Thanks, Carly!
Putting on your mask
1. Clean your hands with hand sanitizer, or soap and water.
2. Make sure the mask is facing the right way (inside towards you, outside towards others)
3. Holding it by the ear loops, put on your face mask. Try not to touch the front of the mask. Make sure it covers your nose and mouth and adjust it under your chin. If there is a nose wire, mold to fit around the nose.
4. Clean your hands again.
Wearing your mask
1. Keep it on whenever you’re indoors or can’t stay further than 2m apart from others.
2. The mask should always cover your nose and mouth.
3. Never wear your mask under your chin.
4. Never trade or share your mask.
Taking off your mask
1. Clean your hands with hand sanitizer, or soap and water.
2. Using the ear loops, take off your mask. Try not to touch the front of the mask.
3. Store it in a clean, dry spot, such as a clean paper bag in a fanny pack, or a plastic container with a vented lid. Ensure to fold the mask so the outside is out; inside is in and earloops point up for ease of removal from bag.
4. Clean your hands again.
Mask Tips
• Before school starts, practice wearing a mask at home. You may have to try different styles to find one that’s comfortable. The mask should fit snugly around the nose, chin and sides of the face.
• If the ear loops aren’t comfortable, or the mask is too loose, try using ear protectors to hold the loops at the back of the head. Another option is a headband with buttons.
• Children should wear a new disposable or clean reusable cloth mask every day. Send in one or two spares in case their mask gets wet or dirty during the day.
• Cloth masks should be laundered after every day of use or before being used again. We recommend having several so you don’t need to launder every day. They should be laundered in the warmest water setting, can be safely laundered with other items and dried completely.
• Cloth masks should be made of a breathable, tightly woven fabric that will stop droplets from passing through, such as quilting cotton or pillowcase fabric. NOT t-shirt fabric. They should have multiple layers or the ability to insert a filter. There should be no holes or vents. No neck gaiters or bandanas as these can contaminate your face easily.
• Cloth masks should be clearly labelled with your child’s name. Personalize the mask so they can easily find it.
Remember, face masks are like underwear…
• Change every day, or it if gets wet/dirty
• Fit should be tight but comfortable
• Don’t wear inside out
• Don’t touch or adjust
• No sharing/trading!
A fanny pack is a great way to store masks when not worn (together with spare masks, paper/washable bags to store dirty masks, hand sanitizer, ear protectors and a pack of tissues), as long as your child will wear it and keep it safe.
Lanyards (with a breakaway only) have pros and cons: Your child won’t lose / accidentally swap their mask, it is on their person so they can put it on and take it off quickly and easily. However, there is a risk of contamination (wash the lanyard as well as the mask), especially if it hangs low, and the ease of removal may mean your child takes the mask off more often.