It seems like everyone I know has someone sick at home right now. My son had 6 of the 14 children in his class out yesterday! This morning I got a call from the school nurse to come and pick up my daughter from school. As she dozes on my couch, I am desperately considering ways to be more vigilant about keeping those nasty germs contained.

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Here are some ideas to keep your house, hopefully, sick-free!

• Just like your mom always told you, “Wash Your Hands”.
  • Since I am the person in our house most likely to touch the sick person in our family the most often, as well as their cup and laundry and trash, I wash my hands CONSTANTLY when someone in our house is sick. Hot water and soap (and moisturizing lotion) are my best friends during sick days.
• Keep your hands away from your face!
  • I feel like I preach this to everyone in our house during flu season. (although it really is a good rule to go by anytime!) Every time you touch a door knob or a faucet or anything someone else has touched you have a chance of passing germs. Rub your germy hands in your eye or bite your nails and YUCK!
• Invest in some disinfectants..
  • During flu season I spurge on sanitizing wipes (I use the generic store brand). When someone is sick in our house, I am constantly wiping down door knobs, light switches, handles chairbacks and tabletops. I also try to remember the telephone, remote control, refrigerator handle and computer mouse. Use a new wipe for each item or you are just spreading around the germs!
  • My girlfriend regularly uses wipes on her credit card and driver’s license during flu season.  Think of all the people you hand these to.
• No sharing!
  • Assign each person their own glass, plates, silverware and towel. Thoroughly wash everything anyone uses in hot water and soap.
• Laundry, laundry, laundry
  • Use the hot water cycle (and don’t forget to wash your hands after throwing everything in the washer)
  • Change bedding and towels often.
  • Read the directions on how to clean your pillow
  • Don’t forget blankets and comforters too!
  • Do people cuddle up in blankets while they watch television on the family room couch?- wash it!
• Clean the bathroom everyday when someone is sick.
  • Bathrooms are warm, moist places where germs love to hang out.
• Clean or replace everyone’s toothbrushes
  • If you can’t bear to throw away everyone’s toothbrush, at least boil it in some water or disinfect it in peroxide to kill some of the germs.  I even run them through the dishwasher with the utensils.
• Don’t forget to clean the thermometer
  • Try wiping it down with alcohol after each use or putting it in a small glass of peroxide.
• Become friends with bleach.
  • Bleach is a surefire way to kill germs.
  • Be careful…it will stain clothes and eat away at delicate materials….dilute with hot water.

What are your tips for keeping germs at bay when someone in your home is sick?