5 Ways to Help Keep Your Family Healthy This Winter
Dr. Jim Sears, in partnership with LYSOL® - the #1 pediatrician-recommended disinfectant brand – brings you 5 simple tips for helping you keep your family healthy this winter.
1. Wash your hands frequently to keep cold and flu germs from spreading.
“Make it a habit before eating, after using the restroom and if you come in contact with a sick person or something he or she has touched,” says Dr. Sears. “Teach your children to avoid spreading cold and flu viruses by coughing into the crux of their elbows, instead of into their hands.”
2. Disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home.
From the faucet to the doorknob to the football your kids toss around, the surfaces they touch are often breeding grounds for colds and flu germs. According to Dr. Sears, one of the most important ways to protect your family and stop viruses dead in their tracks is to disinfect commonly touched surfaces with a disinfectant spray or wipe, such as those made by LYSOL®.
3. Exercise and eat a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables.
According to Dr. Sears, an easy way to defend your family members from colds and flu is to feed them immune boosting foods that help the body fight off viruses. Be sure to include fish, citrus fruits and leafy greens.
4. Stock up on illness prevention supplies.
Plan in advance to prevent illness by stocking up on disinfectants, soap, and vitamins and keeping them in one handy place.
5. Talk to your doctor before your family gets sick.
He or she can advise you whether to get a flu shot and which over-the-counter medicines to have on-hand should someone start to feel sick. You can also find information on flu shots at the CDC web site.
Practice Good Health Habits
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following for helping to prevent the spread of cold and flu:
- Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to help protect them from getting sick too.
- Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
- Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Your kids need to wash their hands for at least 30 seconds to effectively kill germs. Kids can measure the time by singing "Happy Birthday" song twice.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Clean and disinfect your “shared spaces” more often than other times of the year. Remember phones, keyboards, steering wheels, office equipmenet and other items used by several people during the day.
- Get enough sleep. During sleep, your body’s immune system goes into high gear to protect you from illness. Lack of sleep can reduce immune functioning making you susceptible to sickness.
- Drink more water. In the fall and winter, it is easy to overlook your thirst and get dehydrated. Make sure you consumer 8 glasses a day.
- Listen to your body. If you are less than 100% you will feel better and recover faster if you let yourself rest.
- Finally, if you’re running a fever, please be sure to visit your doctor.
Protect your family and your home ››
Teach your kids fun ways to learn healthy habits and prevent illness with this exciting booklet filled with games, puzzles, pictures and more—brought to you by the makers of LYSOL® and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP).
