Roundworms

Roundworms are a serious health problem today in North America, especially in warm places where the cold doesn't kill them in the winter. Roundworms make kids tired, and they can make kids get thinner because they don't feel like eating. Roundworms can even make kids go blind if they get in their eyes.

Sometimes kids catch roundworms from their dogs or cats. When your pets go poop in the sandbox, if they have worms some of the worms will come out in their poop. Then when babies play in the sandbox and eat the sand, they get worms inside them too.

You can't watch your sandbox all the time, so it's important to have a lid that you can put on top of your sandbox when you're not using it. You can also help by making sure that dogs and cats get checked for worms at the vet pretty often. Your vet can tell you how often to give them de-worming medicine. And wash your hands with soap after playing in dirt or playing with pets, before you put your fingers in your mouth.