Keep your kids smiling all year round with these flu safety tips!

Kids (and parents!) have one more reason to dread going back to school this year – fear of contradicting the dreaded swine flu (H1N1) virus, especially given the fact the highest number of swine flu cases occurred in those between the ages of 5-24. Luckily, since schools broke for the summer last May, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has learned much more about the H1N1 virus and has published a new list of precautions that if followed, will significantly reduce the chances of another outbreak from occurring and will also keep students (and teachers) safely in the classroom. Follow the steps below to ensure a healthy and happy school year for all:

Stay home for at least 24 hours even after flu-like symptoms disappear
Once the symptoms of the flu disappear (fever, nausea, etc.) remain home for at least an additional 24-hours. Just because you feel 100%, doesn’t mean the flu has disappeared 100% from your body. Give it an extra 24 hours to be safe. Additionally, children under 5 years old and children in high-risk, high-contact facilities (daycare or childcare) should give themselves additional time to fully recover.

Practice good hand hygiene
The quickest and fastest way to spread the flu is through hand contact. Wash hands with soap & water for AT LEAST 20 SECONDS; especially every time you cough or sneeze. Teach your children to sing “Happy Birthday” to themselves twice when washing their hands as a good rule of thumb for a 20-second time frame.

Use Alcohol-based Hand sanitizers
The best hand cleaners are alcohol-based and contain at least 60% alcohol, such as Clorox Instant Hand Sanitizer.  If the school’s policies do not allow alcohol based hand cleaners, alternative sanitizers should still be used, such as Care Wipes Alcohol-Free Wipes, however they will not be as effective.

Wipe ALL surfaces with disinfectants
Keyboards, doorknobs, and table tops are just a few of the most common places the flu virus can be spread from if touched. Therefore, these surfaces should be disinfected routinely. Try Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to easily tackle this important task.

Wash Your Hands
Cold and flu viruses may be spread by indirect contact. Washing your hands is the best way to prevent getting sick, especially if you wash with an Antibacterial Soap. Keeping lots of Hand Sanitizer on hand is also a good bet for preventing illness.

Sanitize Common Areas
Doorknobs, toilets, trashcans, and countertops. These are the areas where germs can lurk and colds can be passed. To stop sickness in its tracks, use a disinfectant like Clorox to rid your home of bacteria, viruses, or other harmful germs. ToiletPaperWorld.com offers a great selection of disinfectants to help you get your home germ free.

Drink More Water
According to Webmed.com, water can help strengthen your immune system, keeping the flu at bay. And if you do get sick, water flushes your system, re-hydrates you and washes out the toxins. An adult should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day. If the color of your urine is close to clear, then you are getting enough. If it’s deep yellow, drink more water.