Skills with Jill: Parent Hacks with Infection Preventionist Jill Holdsworth

Send us Fan MailJill Holdsworth, a certified infection preventionist with 15 years of experience, shares practical advice for parents on managing household cleaning and disinfection during childhood illnesses while maintaining a balanced approach to germ exposure.• Doorknobs and light switches are high-priority cleaning targets during illness outbreaks• Heat from the dryer is typically sufficient for sanitizing bedding without special additives• Steam cleaning is recommended for baby bottles and pacifiers to prevent biofilm buildup• Children should be truly fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school• Use appropriate brushes for cleaning sippy cups and water bottles, especially the straws• Teaching children proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette helps prevent illness spread• Change toothbrushes after strep throat or significant illness• Supervise young children at water parks and discourage swallowing pool water• Exposure to everyday germs helps children develop stronger immune systems• Balance protection with allowing natural immune system development through normal playBe sure to check out all the great learning opportunities from Sterilization Station, and stay tuned for more episodes in the Skills with Jill mini-series.Support the show