This winter and year-round, tackle germs on your terms
(ARA) Every parent knows one child's sniffles can spread to the whole family, leading to missed work and school days. But as important as helping reduce the spread of germs can be, mom's time is also precious. Here are five key steps to help save time and help protect your family.
A little common sense can go a long way in keeping homes healthier. Moms don't need to go overboard, but it is crucial to be aware of certain germs like E. coli and Salmonella, which should be eliminated since they can be especially harmful to young children with developing immune systems.
"Like other moms, I feel the push and pull of wanting to keep my home healthier but having little time to do anything about it," said Dr. Kelly Reynolds, mom and microbiologist from the University of Arizona. "We can all have a little more peace of mind by taking just five simple steps for preventing exposure to viruses that cause colds and the flu that can help families now and all year-round."
Step 1: Wash Hands!
The first step is one you've heard time and again from your own mom wash your hands! Only half of people actually wash their hands after using the restroom and even those who do wash don't usually do it the right way. Plus, cold and flu viruses can survive for up to 72 hours on workplace surfaces yuck! Wash hands the right way by scrubbing 20 to 30 seconds every time you wash and dry them completely, because odds are you'll meet people who don't! Just a few seconds now could save you a whole day or more in bed.
As for the tots, children touch more than 300 surfaces every 30 minutes, giving them lots of opportunities to pick up germs. Establish some general hand washing rules for kids such as washing hands after a play date, before meals, after visiting the restroom, after playground time and after coming home from school. Dr. Reynolds studied common surfaces and found almost 75 percent of playground surfaces failed her hygiene test! Once germs get on those little fingers, they can be easily passed on to the mouth, nose and eyes. Make sure kids wash the right way too by singing the "happy birthday" song twice while they scrub. Also afterwards, make sure they dry their hands completely as wet hands transmit germs more efficiently than dryer hands.
Step 2: Follow Healthy Habits
You know all the good reasons to get enough sleep, eat right and exercise regularly. But all these healthy choices can also boost your immunity, making you less susceptible to cold and flu viruses and other germs. Make sure these healthy choices become healthy habits for the whole family.
Step 3: Get a Flu Shot
The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the spread of the flu, according to Dr. Reynolds. Follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for flu shots all children six months to five years old, as well as their caregivers and household contacts (that means you!) should get vaccinated. And it's not too late! Experts say you have until January or even later to still get vaccinated.
A new report by the CDC shows only a small fraction of the children who need to get a flu vaccination actually get one. Buck the trend by getting your whole family vaccinated before the peak of flu season.
Step 4: Disinfect Germ Hot Spots
Focusing on high-risk germ havens saves you time while reducing exposure to germs that could make your family sick. Germ hot spots include frequently touched surfaces like door knobs, kitchen counters, toilet flushers, light switches, TV remote controls, refrigerator handles, telephone handsets and children's toys. Routinely putting hard plastic toys through the dishwasher and cloth toys through a hot water cycle in the washing machine will do the trick. Disinfecting these items and surfaces can help minimize contact with potentially dangerous bugs like E. coli, Salmonella and the viruses that can cause colds and flu.
"Although you cannot (and would not want to) sterilize your world, I always target high-traffic germ exposure sites like the kitchen and bathrooms for regular disinfecting," said Dr. Reynolds.
Remember that cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing. Cleaning removes dirt and grime, while disinfecting actually kills bacteria and viruses that can make you sick. In a home where one child was sick, up to 80 percent of some commonly touched surfaces tested positive for the flu virus, according to the Journal of Infection. That is why it is so important to look for products like disinfectants and sanitizers, especially during cold and flu season. For even easier disinfecting, try using a disinfecting wipe.
Step 5: Give Your Washing Machine a Gargle
Use bleach once a week in your empty washing machine it acts as a "mouthwash" for your washer! Germs and gunk can build up in your washing machine over time, but an empty cycle with disinfecting bleach each week will keep it healthy, just like mouthwash does for your mouth. Adding disinfecting bleach in laundry also helps disinfect clothes, towels and sheets, which is especially important if someone has been sick at home.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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