Children bring so many things home with them at the end of each school day, from artwork to funny stories. They may also be returning from school with germs, especially during flu season.
Unfortunately, coming down with the occasional bug is just a part of life. However, there are some things you can do to prevent the flu in your home.
Why does flu in kids seem so common?
The first step to figuring out how to prevent the flu in your home is comprehending why kids get sick more often than adults. For starters, their immune systems are still developing, which means they’re more likely to pick up viruses and bacteria. At school or daycare, children are in large groups all day – these locales are more or less big germ factories, so it’s inevitable that your children will bring a bug home at some point or another.
How long can the flu virus live on surfaces?
This depends on the actual surface and the type of flu. Flu viruses capable of being transferred to hands and causing an infection can survive on hard surfaces for up to 24 hours and as droplets in the air for several hours. Read more here: UK National Health Service
How to prevent the flu
Aside from placing your family members in sterile, germ-free chambers, there’s no guaranteed means of completely preventing the flu. Even vaccination won’t guarantee that you won catch it. However, there are some steps you can take to help lessen the chances of infection.
Teach children healthy habits
Your first line of defence is enlisting the kids in helping to prevent the flu. In addition to properly washing hands (with soap!) before meals, children should also know to clean their hands after coughing and sneezing. That, of course, is because you’ve already taught them to cover their noses and mouths when they do so.
In addition, kids should be instructed not to share drinks or food and they should be taught to avoid putting their hands in their eyes, mouth and nose. As an extra germ-safe measure, you can also have them wash their hands and change clothes as soon as they get home.
Pay close attention to the main contact points
Every home has several hot spots that are touched numerous times throughout the day. Regular cleaning in germy seasons can help prevent flu in kids and adults. These places will vary by home, but include:
- Door knobs, handles and locks
- Light switches
- Stair railings
- Taps, toilet flushers
- Refrigerator and cupboard handles
- Computers, tablets, phones
- Remote controls.
Increase overall cleaning frequency during flu season
It just stands to reason that you should clean a little more when germs are in abundance. Take the time to clean bedding daily if you have a sick family member, especially if he or she has a fever. Additionally, wash communal throws and blankets weekly, or immediately if someone sick has been using them. Making sure countertops and common area surfaces are wiped down regularly will also help reduce the odds of illness spreading.
Don’t have time to care for a sick kiddo and stay on top of all the extra cleaning? We’re waiting in the wings to lend a hand, whether you need routine housekeeping or a one-time clean after a family member has the flu. Contact Bettie’s Cleaning Solutions today!
