When flu season hits, most of us worriers go on high alert but there are a few things you can do to ensure your family a flu free season. Inside Homes Cleaning and More wants you to have the facts needed to help keep your family healthy this flu season so you can enjoy the Holidays. We have come up with 4 simple things that can help combat the virus and keep it out of your house so you don’t have to spend the whole Holiday season avoiding everyone.

Get Vaccinated

Health experts are convinced that the best thing you can do for your family this flu season is get vaccinated. There are now three main types of seasonal flu vaccine: the flu shot, the high-dose flu shot, and the nasal spray vaccine. Contrary to what most people say, receiving the flu shot will not make you get the flu. You will experience mild flu like symptoms after the shot but they will disappear quickly. If you haven’t already, schedule your family’s flu shots today!

Cover Your Coughs

Germs like the flu are spread through the droplets that come out of your mouth and nose so if you cough or sneeze, you are spreading germs if you forget to cover your nose or mouth. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Make sure you throw the tissue away immediately and wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, make sure you cough or sneeze in the crook of your elbow. Ensure you are teaching your children these healthy habits as well.

Wash Your Hands Often

When it flu season, you need to get in the habit of washing your hands more frequently than before. Once or twice a day is not enough when you’re trying to avoid catching the flu. Stock up on hand sanitizers, especially if you know you won’t be in an area where sinks are available during your day. Make sure your children are washing their hands as well. As parents, we must lead by example.

Clean Your Home

Clean and disinfect your house regularly. The flu virus loves to live in your home so make it uninviting for it by disinfecting during your weekly cleaning routine, make sure you have hand sanitizer throughout your home so you are encouraging healthy habits for the other occupants. Make sure you clean your kitchen sponge regularly since it comes into the contact with your mouth droplets due to washing the dishes your family eats off of. You can microwave your sponge for a couple of seconds as well which will zap the germs away.

Above all, make sure you are living a healthy lifestyle that enables your body to fight off the flu virus. Get plenty of sleep. Drink plenty of fluids (preferably water), eat well, exercise and manage your stress to the best of your ability. All of these things help keep your immune system healthy and encourage your family to maintain healthy habits!