When somebody in the family comes down with the flu, all it takes is a couple of hours for the virus to spread. But this helpful guide will help stop germs in their tracks, keeping everyone at home healthy and flu-free.
From the kitchen to the bathroom, keep illness at bay with these room-specific strategies and prevention tips.
In the kitchen
Did you know that 60 percent of refrigerator handles, drawer knobs, and light switches test positive for the flu virus in a home when one person in the family is sick? And, to top it all off, the virus can live for up to three days! So, keep germs from spreading by wiping down these hot spots and other frequently touched surfaces with disinfectant.
In the bedroom
When someone in the family is sick, keep germs from spreading by washing your bedding daily and tumble dry on high heat. On this note, even though the linens may contain germs, it's okay to mix it with the rest of your family's laundry when in the wash. Alternatively, if your spouse is feeling under the weather, sleeping in a separate bed may feel unkind, but it's your best defense against the flu.
In the bathroom
Keeping the lid of the toilet closed when a family member is sick is essential. When you have a viral infection, the organisms are in your stool. And as unpleasant as it may sound, when you flush, germs are spat into the air, potentially contaminating nearby bathroom countertops, hand towels, and toothbrushes. But putting the toilet lid down before you flush ought to keep things in your bathroom germ-free.
In the dining room
When someone in the family is feeling under the weather, serve cranberry juice. Research shows that people who sipped about 8 ounces of cranberry juice daily for 10 days saw a boost in their immune cells, helping to diminish cold and flu symptoms. The juice is known to contain polyphenols (abundant micro-nutrients, known to prevent degenerative diseases such as cancer) which has also been shown to support a healthy heart.
In the foyer
Keep hand sanitizer on your entryway table, serving as a reminder to clean your hands upon walking through the door. Studies show that over 80 percent of common infections are spread through contaminated hands, so using a hand sanitizer, even if it's just once a day, can seriously reduce your risk of getting sick.
Airing out a room is also important when someone at home is feeling a little unwell. Opening a window, even if it's just for an hour, will help cleanse the air, allowing fresh oxygen to come in - making everyone at home feel much better.
In the living room
Be sure to clean your remote controls with disinfectant to remove any germs. And be sure to give all doorknobs a wipe too - they tend to be a germ hot spot.
In the study
It may surprise you to discover that your workspace harbors 400 times more bacteria than your toilet. Whenever possible, be sure to use a disinfectant wipe to clean your desk and appliances like your phone and keyboard, at least once a week.
15 Uses For WINDEX You Didn't Know About!
First invented in the 1930s, Windex is a potent solution that can be used for so much more than what it was originally intended for, as this list proves.
Bored of the Outlet Covers? Here's How to Paint Them Well
In this article, we'll learn how to paint and wallpaper plastic or metal outlet covers effectively and professionally.
15 Great Tips for Cleaning Those Hard-to-Reach Spots
Have you ever skipped cleaning places and things around the house that were just too difficult to clean? Well, we have just the tips to help you with these spots!
How to Actually Enjoy Shoveling Snow!
As always at Babamail, we come in with some more tips on how to make your house chore easier than ever. This time, snow shoveling!
8 Of the DIRTIEST Household Items and How to Clean Them
Even in the cleanest of homes, germs might be lurking in the most surprising everyday items. These are 8 items you should look out for and clean regularly.
How To Know If Something is Safe to Eat? Check These Tips!
Let’s demystify what food safety really means and what are the different ways you can ensure you avoid harmful foods.
50 Culinary Tips That'll Make You a Kitchen Master!
50 great little culinary tips and tricks you can print and hang in the kitchen!
These Powerful Questions Can Lead You to a Happy Life
Harness the power of questions to transform your life for the better!
9 Ingredients It's Best to Avoid When Grocery Shopping
Stay healthy by making sure that these 9 ingredients are not part of the food you buy.
WARNING: If You Love Dogs, This Information is Vital
If you're a dog lover, you should spread this information around. Don't feed dogs these common foods!
If You Have Glasses, Here Are 12 Tips You Should Know...
Broken hinges, misplacement. These occurrences mean we sometimes need assistance in the vision department .These are 12 hacks to get by without spectacles.
Body Language Guide: 17 Mistakes We All Make
We give ourselves away all the time. Learn the common body language mistakes we all do so you can protect your inner thoughts.
10 Natural Remedies That Actually Work
Not Feeling well? We recommend that you think outside the box, or in this case outside the medicine cabinet with the following 10 effective natural medicines!
8 Things You Need to Do With Your A/C to Save on Money
Not looking after your AC properly will decreases the efficiency of your system, meaning you’re losing a lot of money.
Wow, I Never Knew it Was This Easy to Check a Battery!
Did you know you can actually find out if your battery is empty or not? This little tip only takes 2 seconds to do.
6 Home Ingredients You Can Use to Clean Your Carpet
Got a carpet stain? Forget the dry-cleaners, try one of these methods instead.
Maximise Your Kitchen Space with These Clever Hacks
Use these clever ideas to turn your kitchen into a room that works for you, with easier access to everyday items and better utilization of space.
10 Creative Ways to Create a Hanging Garden
Try your hand at vertical gardening with one (or a few) of these creative projects.
10 Household Items You Should Disinfect Every Day
Here is a list of 10 essential household things that you simply must disinfect during the winter months.
Here's What You Do With Your Leftover Plastic Spoons!
I never thought there was so much to do with this simple single-use utensil.
HEARING LOSS: How to Keep Your Hearing Strong for Longer
It's not just age that steals away our hearing, but also bad listening habits that damage our ears. Here are 10 tips to help keep your hearing strong.
Get Rid of Your Dog's Worms Using These 10 Home Remedies
At some point in their lives, most dogs will suffer from intestinal worms. Should this happen to your dog, here are 10 home remedies to help deworm them.
Got Dark Knees and Elbows? 8 Remedies That'll Help
Put an end to dark knees and elbows with these 8 natural remedies.
10 Signs You Have a High Level of Intelligence
If you find yourself relating to these characteristics, it is possible that you possess an exceptional level of intelligence...
These Great Design Tips Will Make Your Home Outstanding!
If you've decided you want to make a change to your home, then here's how you can give it an up-to-date look.
How to Develop a Green Thumb For Home Plants
The following houseplant cheat sheet summarizes the essentials you need to know about growing your own houseplants.
8 Everyday Activities That are Damaging Your Spine
Here's a list of everyday activities that harm your spine.
Look At the Eyes: How to Tell When People Are Lying
According to NLP, one can know whether a person is lying or not only through the eyes. Learn how to do this with the help of this guide ...
9 Ways to Use Coffee to Make Your Hair and Skin Shine
Caffeine, a familiar component of coffee, can stimulate blood circulation, leading to radiant, healthy, and bright skin.
Amazing! How Can One Small Tool be So Useful?
18 brilliant ways to use Command Hooks. These will come in handy in the future.
5 Foolproof Ways to Protect Your Plants From Wildlife
Do animals frequently destroy your plants and vegetables? Here’s how you can keep them away without harming them.
Now is The Last Chance for This Outdoor Winterizing Task
Learn how to seal cracks and potholes in your driveway, and how to winterize your driveway before the first snow.
If You Value Your Health, Wash These 9 Foods Well
Are you washing these 9 foods correctly? Probably not!
6 Handy Ways to Open a Bottle WITHOUT a Bottle Opener
Want to enjoy your bottle of beer but can't find the bottle opener? Don't worry. Try these clever hacks.
Incredibly Interesting Facts and Figures About the World
These facts and figures about the world are the most interesting you have ever read.
WARNING: These 6 Habits Are Damaging Your Teeth!
When brushing our teeth and going about our daily lives, we make mistakes that can damage them. Here are 6 of such mistakes.
Persistent Bad Breath? Not With These Natural Remedies
Don't worry, there are plenty of natural remedies for this problem!
How to Organize Your Fridge Correctly To Save Money!
The fridge is an important part of any kitchen, but do you know how to get the best out of yours? This guide will help you arrange your fridge to maximize its technology and save money!
10 Great Money Tips from the World's Most Successful People
People rarely find success by accident. So why don’t you set yourself up for financial success by listening to the following pieces of advice.
These 15 Surprising Cucumber Uses Will Come in Handy
Cucumbers are a very healthy addition to any diet, but they also have many other great uses that you should know about. Here's 15...
Create a Lasting Memory of Your Pet in These 10 Ways
If your pet has just passed away, here are 10 great ways to remember the life you've shared together.
Safe & Natural Recipes to Add Scent to Your Home
Forget those fake, unhealthy air fresheners and chemical-packed scented candles. Make your own natural scents and keep your home fresh.
11 Things You Should NEVER Dump Into the Kitchen Sink
Even a garbage disposal won’t be able to handle these 11 things, so make sure to toss them directly into the trash instead of the kitchen sink
Bored of the Outlet Covers? Here's How to Paint Them Well
In this article, we'll learn how to paint and wallpaper plastic or metal outlet covers effectively and professionally.
This is One Useful Oil You Always Want to Keep Around
This article will share six different and particularly effective uses for sesame oil, which make it clear why every home should have this essential ingredient.
Easily Create These 8 Natural Sprays
Eight wonderful recipes to make eight natural sprays that can make your life easier and healthier.
DO NOT Make These Mistakes When Frying an Egg
For a quick lesson in frying an egg, just watch this vidoe guide.