tips for keeping your family cold and flu free

Winter is rapidly approaching.   I can tell by the bizarre New England weather.   Today,  I’m wearing jeans and a light sweater.  It is 53 degrees, windy and cloudy.   On Saturday,  our forecast is for sunshine and temperatures in the mid-70’s.  I’m guessing that I’ll be wearing a bathing suit and sitting on the beach {for what could be the last time until the spring!}

With all of these temperature fluctuations,  it seems that germs come out in full force.   The Texan was sick during the early part of the week,  and is still working on recovering.   I need to act fast before these germs take over our home, and our lives!   To prevent yourself, your kids, and your husband from getting sick,  try following a few of my tips.   Keep in mind, that I’m not a doctor or a scientist,  but these have worked for me in years past.

1.   Wash your hands frequently when you’re home.   Have younger kids wash their hands while singing “Happy Birthday to You”  that’s typically long enough to get rid of the unwanted germs.   Practicing good hand washing techniques is important all year long,  not just during cold and flu season.

2.   Wash your hands AS SOON as you ENTER YOUR HOME.   There are a lot of dirty people out in the world.  And,  they like to go to the same places you do.   When you get home,  wash your hands.

3.  If you work in an environment with lots of germs –  think teachers,  doctors, nurses, receptionists, etc – CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES when you get home from work.   I learned this tip from our pediatrician when The Boy was just a few months old.  That sort of makes this a legitimate tip,  I guess?   It’s probably not a bad idea to change your clothes after shopping in the malls during the holiday season, either.

4.    Clean your bathroom regularly.   Especially that {nasty}  toilet handle.   Because it is a moist, damp environment germs hide there and thrive.

5.  If someone is sick,  quarantine them.   Seriously.   Keep the sickies separated from the healthies.  It’s true,  one bad apple can spoil the bunch.

6.  Once the sickie has recovered,  be sure to launder all sheets and towels they used.   This should cut down on the spread of germs.

7.  Consider getting the flu shot.   Many people swear by the flu shot,  I’m on the fence considering there are so many different flu viruses and the shot cannot protect you from all of them.  But still,  it’s worth a shot to consider it.

Whatever you decide to do to protect your family this cold and flu season,  I hope it works!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Lysol blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.