Help Protect Your Family From H1N1 (Swine Flu) And Other Harmful Germs That Can Enter Your Home

(NAPS)—These days, parents of school-aged children have more to worry about than their kids' grades. With health officials warning that the number of H1N1 flu cases is certain to worsen, parents are concerned, more so than ever, about the germs their children will encounter at school. Adding to this concern, a recent survey from the Hygiene Council revealed that a majority of parents (72 percent) feel they have minimal to no control over protecting their kids from germs at school. "It's unrealistic for parents to think they can control the germs their children will inevitably encounter at school," says pediatrician Dr. Laura Jana, mother of three school-aged children and owner of an educational child care center. "However, they can significantly manage the spread of germs between school and home by establishing some simple afterschool hygiene routines." Stop Germs in Their Tracks. Identify which door your children generally use when they come home from school or day care and designate an area near the door where everyone can take off their shoes and drop their bags to avoid tracking dirt and germs throughout the rest of the house. Establish a Hygiene Routine. Send your children straight to the sink to scrub their hands with regular soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds because, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of illness-causing germs. Disinfect to Protect. No matter how hard you try, germs will still find their way to your tables, countertops and other frequently touched surfaces. You can help stop the spread of school

germs in your home by disinfecting hard surfaces and sanitizing the soft surfaces that kids touch, including doorknobs, light switches and book bags. Regular disinfection with a product such as Lysol Disinfectant Spray can help kill 99.9 percent of cold and flu viruses on hard surfaces, including H1N1, and help prevent your family from getting sick. After-School Lessons. Make sure your children learn and follow important personal hygiene habits both at home and in the classroom. Visit the new educational Ounce of Prevention Kids Web site, www.oopkids.com, developed in partnership with the CDC, for plenty of good, clean fun along with interactive games and exercises to help you get started. For more information about keeping kids happy and healthy during the school year, visit lysol.com/send-school-germs-pack ing or visit www. drlaurajana.com. You can help protect your family from germs.