Among the many things that that parents have to be aware and concerned about regarding their children, the inevitability of flu and cold season might take the top spot. Just one misplaced cough or uncovered sneeze has the ability to make or break your week, and that of your entire family. Not only is being sick an inconvenience, but the flu is leading cause of hospitalized children among vaccine-preventable illnesses. It makes sense to take steps to reign the possibility of free-flying germs in, and make well-used vehicle a cold and flu-free environment. Here are a few things that every person should have in their vehicle, regardless of if they have children or not, in an effort to prevent the spread of nasty bugs.
Hand Sanitizer – Always important to have with you, even though it is not a perfect alternative to washing your hands with soap and hot water. Great in a bind, hand sanitizer is an excellent tool in our arsenal when away from a sink. As long as we make sure everyone in the car uses the sanitizer after touching gross surfaces, blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing, it can make a huge difference. In addition, parents should take care to use it after handling money or pumping gas; two of the biggest breeding grounds for germs.
Baby Wipes – Possibly one of the best and most multi-purpose things we can keep in our car, baby wipes are perfect for cleaning up more than just bums. They are ideal for wiping down frequently touched areas, kid’s hands and faces, and a number of spilled items. Though they are not as efficient as bleach wipes, those have the potential to damage the upholstery and interior of your vehicle.
Tissues – A box of tissues is always handy. You never know when a phantom sneeze might strike, and containing it as much as possible will go very far in preventing the spreading of germs. On that note, keep a plastic bag in your car and make sure every used tissue ends up in the trash.
However, no matter how much hand sanitizer, tissues and baby wipes you use, nothing replaces bleach as a cleaning agent, nor hot soapy water for washing hands. So set an example, and the minute you arrive to your destination, march your troop to the rest room to thoroughly wash their hands. Sing happy birthday, or the alphabet, and make it a game; whatever it takes to instill this habit, as it is arguably the best resource we have to protect ourselves from the horrors of flu and cold season.
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