How To Prevent Colds

How to prevent colds. As any parent can tell you, it's the cold season. The reason why we often keep getting colds during the winter is not because of the weather, but because we're all cooped with each other (and each other's germs) indoors.

Rhinoviruses can survive up to three hours on skin and inanimate objects. That means when little Johnny hacks away without covering his mouth at preschool, your little Annie has ample opportunity to come in contact with his germs. And bring them home alive. 

Here's how to prevent colds at home with an easy germ-busting surface cleaning routine.

How to Prevent Colds With Hand-Washing

Frequent hand-washing is how to prevent colds from grabbing a toe-hold. How you - and the kids - wash is also essential. 

Unless kids' hands are visibly dirty, encourage them to use alcohol-based cleansers that clean without water.

Regularly Disinfect Hard Surfaces

To obliterate cold and flu viruses and other germs that find their way into your home, regularly clean doorknobs faucets, countertops, keyboards, and other frequently touched surfaces that can harbor germs and viruses.

Use a surface-safe disinfectant such as diluted bleach or disposable disinfecting wipes.

Laundry 101 for Killing Viruses and Germs

Don't forget the laundry - it too can be a key culprit in the spread of infectious germs, viruses, and bacteria.

If sneezy Susie handed your child her backpack or grabbed your daughter's sweatshirt arm at recess, bacteria and germs are probably still playing on these items.

Plan to wash your child's backpack (unzipping zippers, taking out papers and wrappers first) and school sweatshirts or jackets at least weekly in the hottest water that's safe for the fabric. Ditto for her school clothes or uniform.