Getting sick is something that happens every fall, and there’s little you can do. Or at least that’s what most people think. Every year, individuals catch 1 billion types of colds, making it seem as though getting sick is easier than recovering. Keeping your family safe seems difficult, but it starts with taking steps within the home to prevent illness. From ensuring you’re eating in a clean restaurant to showing your children best practices for staying healthy, here’s how you get the job done.

Encourage Everyone to Wash Their Hands to Prevent Germs Spreading

Washing hands is one of the most important things you can do to prevent germs spreading between family members. It’s easy to pick up germs in a variety of settings, so make sure you’re teaching everyone in the family, even small children, to wish for at least 15 minutes. According to the CDC, washing for the amount of time with enough soap can kill germs, which prevents cold and flu from spreading. This goes for every situation, from getting home from work to cleaning up afterward to prevent school sports infections.

Staying Safe Means Preventing the Spread of MRSA

MRSA prevention is more important than people realize. MRSA is a bacteria that resists various types of antibiotics, making it difficult to get rid of once someone gets sick. MRSA clean-up involves making sure the whole family is practicing methods that prevent and stop the spread of germs. Find out how often places your family goes to on a regular basis get cleaned, such as daycare centers and gyms. Knowing the types of places you’re most likely to get sick from can help you take preventative actions in stopping the problem before it becomes serious.

Consider Staying Home More Often or Finding Cleaner Places

Rather than take chances on getting sick during cold and flu season, consider staying home more often rather than catching something. Doing so can stop the spread of germs and make it easier for you to keep your family healthy without constant trips to the doctor. If you can find places that you know are cleaner, go there instead. A clean restaurant is much safer than your favorite place that doesn’t get cleaned enough to prevent germs from spreading. Put your family’s health first above everything else.

No matter how much you enjoy going out or trying out new places, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings. Consider staying at home and avoiding places that you know aren’t safe. A clean restaurant or gym makes all the difference in the world. Teach your children the importance of washing their hands and make sure the whole family practices this. It’s important for everyone to work together in order to prevent the spread of germs and other bacteria that can easily get passed around, including dangerous bacteria such as MRSA. Although this might seem impossible, a healthy family is the most important thing.