MiddletownJournal.com

(HealthDay News) -- Pets can be adored members of a loving family. But it's important to keep youngsters safe and healthy when playing with their furry friends.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these suggestions:

• Never allow children age 5 or younger to play with pets without adult supervision.
• Avoid having children kiss family pets. Also try to keep baby's unwashed hands out of the mouth after the infant has touched an animal.
• Always wash a child's hands carefully with soap and water after he or she touches an animal.
• Parents should always wash hands after touching pets too, particularly before feeding baby.