Flu Preparedness
When you feel yourself coming down with something, rest and relaxation are ideal. These tips will help ensure you’re prepared so you can focus on getting better.
Tip 1: Stock your medicine cabinet ahead of time.
Find relief from minor discomforts of cold and flu symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, sore throat and cough by stocking up on Vicks® DayQuil®, Pepto-Bismol®, and Vicks® VapoRub®. It’s also a good idea to keep an “emergency relief kit” in your purse that contains a single dose of such items in case an illness hits while you’re at work.
Tip 2: Make a plan for who will care for a sick child.
Know the well-child rules of your day-care provider or child’s school. Plan in advance for who will stay home with a sick child or pick him up early from school — you, your spouse, a grandparent?
Tip 3: Save a few sick days — you might need them.
Seasonal illnesses can knock you off your feet. Save some sick days so you can take time off when you or a child is ill without worrying about taking time off. Also, investigate whether your employer offers a work-from-home policy. You can still get some work done while you recover or take care of a sick child.
Tip 4: Prep your pantry with comforting foods and drinks.
Fill a shelf with chicken noodle soup, soda crackers, orange juice, ginger ale, tea with lemon and honey, and other foods and drinks you can reach for when you have a cold or flu.
Tip 5: Create a “sick day” entertainment stash.
Set aside a few favorite movies, books or magazines (for you and the kids) to keep your minds occupied while your bodies recover. Make sure you have tissues, a blanket, a hot water bottle, a heating pad or anything else you find comforting.
Stay-Well Tips
Naturally, prevention is the best cure. Follow these tips to stay well to help keep you and your family and co-workers as healthy as possible during flu season.
Tip 1: Wash hands frequently using the proper technique and teach your kids to do the same.
Hand washing helps prevent illness and infection. Here’s the proper hand-washing technique for you and your family to follow.
1. Wet your hands with clean, warm running water and apply adequate soap.
2. Rub your hands together vigorously and make a lather. Remember to scrub the backs of your hands, between fingers, under fingernails and around wrists. Continue rubbing your hands for 15 to 20 seconds (helpful timer: sing "the alphabet song”).
3. Rinse your hands thoroughly, and then dry them using a paper towel or an air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
Tip 2: Disinfect shared surfaces.
Door handles, computer keypads, remote controls and other shared surfaces are a hotbed for germs. Clean and disinfect these high-traffic areas using wipes or spray.
At home: It may help to make a “disinfecting checklist” of items, including door handles, light switches, remote controls, computer keypad and mouse, phones (including cell phones) and bathroom and kitchen counters.
At work: Disinfect your keyboard, mouse, phone and desk. Consider getting a group of co-workers together to disinfect shared spaces such as kitchens and meeting rooms. Everyone will benefit!
