Fighting Flu and Cold Germs Begins at Home

I stepped into a friend’s home yesterday and got a warm greeting, followed by a request to please use the Purell. (I didn’t realize Purell came in such an enormous size. It looked like a soap dispenser enlarged by 500 percent.) The friend, who has a baby in the house, is doing everything she can to minimize the risk of her infant catching the flu, but still lives her life as normally as possible. After that visit, I realized that, while I do take precautions, we can all do a few more things to fight the spread of flu and cold germs, which could save the lives of children, elderly friends and family members, or those who have weakened immune systems.

• Carry a packet of tissues with you. If you feel a sneeze coming on or are with someone who needs a tissue, you won’t have to waste time hunting for tissues. 
• Put a container of bacteria killing wipes in your car, right inside doors in your home, etc. It is so easy for kids to touch something gross or dirty and then touch their eyes or mouth. Giving them a wipe as they enter the car or walk in the door from school keeps you from worrying the whole way to the bathroom sink! The wipes also come in handy when you take your credit card back from a suspiciously red eyed, gravel voiced sales clerk. Cleaning your hands as soon as you reach the car means you won’t put germs onto the steering wheel, seat belt, etc.
• Don’t be afraid to say “No!” when someone who is obviously sick wants to come in to read the meter, repair the cable, etc. or when your kids want to invite a sneezing, coughing friend in to play.
• Wipe down your door knobs, counters, mice, phones, television remotes and other frequently handled items with Lysol wipes at least once a day.
• Change toothbrushes frequently when people are sick.
• Pay attention to CDC recommendations for flu prevention.

Do you make an extra effort to prevent flu and cold germs at home?

Photo: SXC