Cleaning Science,Health,How to Clean,News

5 Ways to Protect Your Family During Flu Season (infographic)

The Flu Season

While seasonal influenza (flu) viruses are detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter. The exact timing and duration of flu seasons can vary, but influenza activity often begins to increase in October. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although activity can last as late as May. read more about seasonal influenza

How to Prevent during Flu Season

1. Get the Flu Vaccine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce your risk of getting sick with seasonal flu and spreading it to others.”

2. Stay Away from People

If you have to be around a crowd, try not to stand close to people who are obviously sick. If you are sick, do everyone else at work a favor and don’t bring your germs to work.

3. Cover Your Coughs & Sneezes

Everyday Health reports that you can catch the flu by coming into contact with droplets in coughs or sneezes, but flu droplets are usually limited to about six feet. Protect your family by covering your nose and mouth, but not with your hands. Instead, cough or sneeze into your elbow.

4. Wash Your Hands Frequently

Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Avoid touching objects like restroom faucets and door handles. Use a clean paper towel to open restroom doors as you exit. And carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you.

5. Clean Frequently-Touched Surfaces

Huffington Post reports that the cleanest surface in an office is the seat of the toilet, which gets sanitized often. Not so clean—your phone, desktop, keyboard and mouse, the copier, elevator buttons, and items in the break room like the coffee pot handle and microwave buttons.

Did You Know?

At Castle Keepers® House Cleaning, the #1 way we prevent the spread of infection in your home is by using PerfectCLEAN® microfiber cloths. These cloths remove 99% of organic matter from surfaces. They also contain anti-microbial threads, which kill any germs caught in the fibers. As an extra precaution, we color code our cloths to prevent cross-contamination between rooms.

The advice to “stay away from people” may sound funny, but it’s best to avoid crowded rooms when the flu is prevalent. If you have the flu, you’re not doing anyone at your work or school a favor when you show up while still contagious.