With the cold weather upon us, unfortunately, it also means Flu Season is here. There are important steps to take to prevent the flu, including getting your family vaccinated.
Kelsie, Aubrey, and I were all vaccinated this past Wednesday. Personally, I have been vaccinated every flu season since I was about ten years old. With asthma, I am considered “high-risk” and understand how dangerous the flu can be. And of course, who wants to be sick?
The Visiting Nurse Associations of America, Families Fighting Flu, and Clorox are back with their 5th year of “Say Boo To The Flu“, an excellent resource for flu prevention tips, and where you can get the flu vaccine yourself.
A Scary Fact- More than 20,000 Children Under the Age of 5, will be hospitalized due to the flu.
How Can You Help Prevent The Flu?
-Wash Hands Frequently. Washing hands with warm water and soap for atleast 20 seconds. A good way to teach children how long to wash hands is singing “Happy Birthday” twice.
–Disinfect HOT GERM SPOTS-Think about areas touched on a regular basis-toys, doorknobs, faucets.
–Do the “Elbow” Cough-Coughing and sneezing helps to prevent the spread of germs that touch your hands. Cover that cough!
–Follow Good Health Guidelines-Obviously, doing the basics to keep yourself healthy help decrease the chances of getting sick. Eat right, excercise, and get plenty of sleep to help your body fight off infection!
SayBooToTheFlu.com has become an excellent online resource to educate yourself about the Flu Virus, and prevention. You can also check out some great Family Activities to teach children about cleanliness and so much more.
SayBooToTheFlu.com Becomes Online Resource
Say “Boo!” to the Flu’s online home, www.SayBooToTheFlu.com, is an up-to-the-minute flu resource for families. In addition to taking the Flu Prevention Pledge, parents can:
- Get up-to-the minute flu news straight from the CDC
- Learn how to post a “flu widget” on their own blogs and Web sites to help spread the word about flu prevention
- Find seasonal flu vaccination clinics in their areas
- Learn how to teach kids flu preventions steps in a fun way
- Track the status of flu in their neighborhood
I’ve taken the pledge and had myself and the girls vaccinated. Will you take the pledge to help prevent flu?
7 Comments
I get vaccinated every year too as an asthmatic. I also clean a lot more during cold and flu season with the kids. I’m not sure if it’s just boys, but man my kids can be gross.
I took the pledge! Tucker and I were just vaccinated, and hubby is going next week at school and Kambry is going in a week. I am scared of the flu more than you can imagine! Getting a Flu shot helps prevent me from getting really sick with my asthma and chronic bronchitis. Gotta have your flu shot!
Great tips! My whole family gets the flu shot. So far, hubby has gotten his at work and we are scheduled to go to the pediatrician in the next few weeks!
My child came home from school saying that they learned to cough and sneeze into their elbow with Germy Wormie, and I was totally taken aback. I always covered with my hands. But I went to the website and now I get it, hands touch, elbows don’t!! Kids can touch 300 surfaces in 1/2 hour and they hate to wash their hands. This is a simple thing that can make a huge difference. There is also an entertaining DVD that teaches them in a fun way the elbow cough, as well as other necessary hygiene habits.
I’m tend to clean more in the fall and winter months, specially with the kids going back to school.Then tend to bring more things home ! Great post 🙂
good to be safe and wash hands for sure!