Health Tips

Stay healthy during cold and flu season

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to help protect them from getting sick, too.

Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work and school and avoid doing errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Your kids need to wash their hands for at least 30 seconds to effectively kill germs. Kids can measure the time by singing the "Happy Birthday" song twice. If soap and water are not available, use a liquid hand sanitizer.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

Clean and disinfect your "shared spaces" more often than at other times of the year. Remember, phones, keyboards, steering wheels, office equipment and other items may be used by several people during the day.

Get enough sleep. During sleep, your body's immune system goes into high gear to protect you from illness. Lack of sleep can reduce immune functioning, making you susceptible to sickness.

Drink more water. In the fall and winter, it is easy to overlook your thirst and get dehydrated. Make sure you consume eight glasses a day.

Listen to your body. If you are less than 100 percent, you will feel better and recover faster if you let yourself rest.

Finally, if you are running a fever, please be sure to visit your doctor.

Visit Lysol for more information on staying healthy and preventing the spread of colds and germs.