Philip M. Tierno, Jr., Ph.D., author of "The Secret Life of Germs," is Director of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at New York University Medical Center and is a member of the faculty at NYU School of Medicine. He has appeared on such shows as 20/20, Oprah, Dateline, Today and PrimeTime to discuss the prevalence of germs and the proper cleaning methods for avoiding illness.

 
He offers the following tips to keep in mind when discussing the unique hygiene needs of children:

• Children harbor more organisms than adults because their immune systems are not fully developed until adolescence.
• Children are less tidy and don't fully understand how diseases are transmitted.
• Children are less likely to wash their hands and take proper precautions to avoid risk.
• Children are more prone to infection than adults because they do not have adult immunities.

Encourage proper handwashing techniques.

• Teach your children to rub their hands vigorously with soap and warm water for as long as it takes them to sing "Happy Birthday" (about 20 seconds), then repeat. Children should complete this process several times per day especially after using the toilet and before eating or drinking.
• Tell your children not to touch their mouth, nose or eyes after coming in contact with public surfaces like those found in buses, trains and taxis.

• Sanitize stuffed animals by vacuuming them weekly or putting them in a hot dryer.
• Use hydrogen peroxide or soap and water to clean toys; be sure to let them dry completely. You also could apply a disinfectant spray and leave on for 10 minutes. Then wash toy with soap and water and let dry.

• The kitchen sink is the dirtiest place in one's home, and the kitchen sponge is the most germ-infested item. Parents should properly sanitize sponges and dishrags with a diluted bleach solution, such as one part bleach to nine parts water.
• Avoid wiping your dining table with the kitchen sponge or dishrag to prevent cross-contamination from meat and vegetable germs.
• Replace sponges every three weeks due to the build-up of trapped food particles.
• Transferring your garbage bag can spread salmonella. Pay attention to whether your trash receptacle is wet. If so, clean with bleach and water and let dry before inserting a new liner.

• Using an impervious cover on your child's mattress or using a mattress with a washable top like the HealthSmart™ Bed.
• Wash sheets once per week in hot water, detergent and bleach.
• Avoid heavy drapes and carpeting in the home; hard surfaces are best since they don't trap debris and allergens, and they can be easily cleaned.

• Wipe down your shower walls after every use to prevent soap scum and germ build-up.
• Shower liners should be replaced frequently, especially if moldy.
• Lower toilet lid before flushing to limit water aerosols.
• Let toothbrushes air-dry and store them in the medicine cabinet to avoid contamination that occurs from flushing the toilet.