Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe from Colds and Flu this Winter!

Everyone wants to protect themselves and their children from the effects of colds and flu, especially with all the information on the H1N1 virus.  While we can’t protect our children from every illness, nor would we want to (they need to build up immunities too) we can show them ways to stay healthy because being sick with a runny nose or sore throat is really no fun.

• Washing hands is first in defense against germs.  Have your child rub their hands together with warm, soapy water and make it fun by singing the “ABC” song or “Happy Birthday” or any other song that lasts approximately 15 -20 seconds.  Show them how to rub between their fingers and to get under the finger tips where germs like to hang out.  When they don’t have assess to water, using alcohol-based hand cleaner or try rubbing their hands together hard for a minute.  Germs don’t like the alcohol or the heat.
• Since germs can live on surfaces for a long time, show your child how to dry their hands and use the same paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door, then throw it out.  The chances that someone choose not to wash their hands or didn’t do a good job of it and left a germy present for your child are huge.  So why chance it?  Make it something that you do to and they will follow your example and before you know it, it will become a habit.
• When they cough or sneeze, cover their mouth with a corner of the elbow or a tissue (that they immediately throw away).  Covering their mouth with their elbow captures the germs in their sleeve and doesn’t allow the germs to be sent flying through the room to attack someone else.
• Refrain from touching your face.  If they have picked up a germ on a pencil or door knob, then they rub their nose or eye, the germ is then deposited in a nice warm environment that they love to grow in.
• Drink lots of water to flush the system of any germs that might be hanging out.  How do you know if you have drank enough water?  If your urine is close to clear in color, you are drinking enough water. Otherwise, drink up!
• This is a new one for me - take a sauna!  The theory is with the air over 80 degrees or higher it is too hot for cold and flu viruses to survive.  Think of it as going to the beach with the family - there are locations for saunas throughout the country.
• Get out in the fresh air.  Central heating found in homes and buildings (like schools) dry out membranes making them more vulnerable to viruses.  Also the lack of fresh air circulated inside causes an over abundance of germs in which you are sessieble to. There is also more air circulation outdoors giving you an opportunity to breathe less germs.
• Aerobic exercise helps increase the bodies natural fortifications of virus-killing cells.  So have your child increase their breathing rate and go sweat out those nasty germs.
• Eat plants!  Eating dark green, red, and yellow fruits and vegetables help the body fight against germs.
• Eat yogurt has shown to help individuals maintain a healthy digestive tract and eliminate germs.
• Give them time to relax! 

There are two more for adults: no smoking and alcohol.  WebMD has some interesting articles on making your house germ free and different aspects of keeping our children healthy at: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/germ-fighting-guide-9/default.htm#nav

Stay healthy!