The Germs Are Coming!

It's September and you know what that means?

Flu season is right around the corner. Gulp! Are you ready?

While I'm not a fan of disposable disinfectant wipes from an environmental perspective, it's always good to have one container on hand to wipe down commonly used items when a family member comes down with a bug. I also keep a container of Lysol (feel free to use your favorite brand, of course) on the counter in the bathroom, and we disinfect the toilet handle and faucet handles after each use in our household.

Keep some comfort foods on hand: soups and broth, juices, ginger ales, and herbal teas. For kids, keep some Popsicles, and don't forget Pedialyte for the younger set. Kids can quickly get dehydrated if they are running a fever and don't want to eat or drink!

Pick up cold and flu medications now, before anyone gets sick. It's a lot easier to pick up a few boxes and bottles, than to go out in the middle of the night when you can't sleep because your husband is coughing like crazy next to you! Don't forget to have several bags of cough drops on hand as well.

Perhaps the most overlooked defense in the cold and flu war? Sunlight! That's right, Vitamin D will help your body fend off germs! Try to aim for 15 minutes of sunlight for your family each day. If it's a little chilly, you can bundle up, but the more skin exposed (use sunscreen if necessary!) the more Vitamin D your body will absorb. Go outside and play a game of catch together, play hide and seek, or go on a nature walk at a local park. If all else fails, try to up your diet with vitamin D rich foods like salmon, spinach, and even potatoes too!

And don't forget to wash your hands thoroughly. You can keep containers of hand sanitizer in your purse or coat pocket for times when you can't wash your hands, but don't really on them all the time.

For more random preparedness thoughts from my blog, click here.