Reduce Your Risk of Getting Sick

Now that we are into flu season, you can help protect yourself and your family from getting sick with some simple precautions.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.  When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too. 
• Stay home when you are sick. Employers should send home workers who are sick to prevent others from catching their illness. 
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Wash your hands often to help protect you from germs.
• 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.
• Get a flu shot.

Hand Washing – Your No. 1 Defense

Hands should always be washed after going to the bathroom, changing a diaper, before and after eating, when preparing food -- especially raw meats, and after touching public surfaces. 

In order to kill enough germs, hands must be lathered up and rubbed together under running water for at least 20 seconds.  If soap and water aren’t available, hands can be cleaned using an alcohol based hand sanitizer.

"By washing your hands and making these healthy practices a part of your daily life, you can help protect yourself and your family from getting the flu, colds and other common illnesses," says Dr. Long.

Wash My Hands Song - (Row, Row, Row Your Boat tune)
Children can sing while washing hands

Wash, wash, wash my hands
Make them nice and clean
Rub the bottoms and the tops
And fingers in between