by Jennifer Hinders

Created on: December 06, 2011   Last Updated: January 02, 2012

Preventing the spread of germs in your home is a full time job.  It’s important to get the entire family involved in this fight.  No matter how young or old, everyone can make efforts toward preventing the spread of germs in your home. There are several specific ways to keep germs at bay. These suggestions are simple to do, but effective in the fight against the spread of germs. 

Hand washing

One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs in your home is by washing your hands. Hand washing can eliminate bacterial and viral germs. Provide antibacterial soap in the bathroom and the kitchen for washing hands. Encourage your family to wash their hands before and after meals, after returning from shopping or playing outside.  This habit will encourage good hygiene and the prevention of germs in your home.

Paper towels

Provide paper towels in the bathroom for drying hands instead of a cloth hand towel.  Cloth hand towels harbor and encourage the spread of germs.  Disposable paper towels eliminate this problem with little effort.   Using paper towels instead of a hand towel will cost more money, but eliminating germs from your home is well worth the extra cost of purchasing paper towels.  Buy paper towels at economical large discount stores like Wal-Mart or Costco to save money.  

Dishwasher

Dishwashers are wonderful inventions when it comes to germ prevention.  During the winter, be sure to wash your dishes in the dishwasher rather than by hand. Be sure to turn your dishwasher setting to hot and dry heat to kill germs on glasses and silverware. 

Paper bathroom cups

Another way to help prevent the spread of germs in your home is to provide small throw away paper cups in the bathroom instead of washable plastic cups.  Disposable paper cups help prevent the spread of colds and other viruses.  They can be purchased at the grocery store or a large discount store like Wal-Mart or Costco.

Hand sanitizer

Provide your family with hand sanitizer in their gym bags, sports bags or purses.  Encourage them to use the hand sanitizer after they play sports or go to the gym. This will help prevent bringing germs into your home.

Proper Eating and Sleeping

Surprisingly, one effective way to prevent the spread of germs is to encourage your family to get enough sleep.  Lack of sleep lowers your immune system’s ability to fight germs. The same goes for good nutrition. Make sure your family eats lots of fruits and vegetables each day.  Encourage them to stay away from sweets that can actually weaken the immune system.

There are many ways to effectively prevent the spread of germs in your home. Encourage the entire family to get involved in the fight against germs. It’s a battle worth fighting.  

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