I've heard that kids nationwide miss on average of 22 million school days each year due to colds.
That's pretty staggering.
My kids have been fortunate not getting sick this past year.
I feel it's because we are a germ-aware family and I'll share some of the ideas we practice at home.
Here are 3 ways to prevent the common cold: Don't get enough sleep? Catch more ZZZZ.
Your immune system will be down if you don't get enough sleep.
So if you child is always tired all the time, make sure your child enough of it.
Grade school kids should get 8 to 11 hours.
If they don't get enough sleep make his or her bed time earlier.
Wash and scrub.
You've got to wash your hands frequently.
Up to 80 percent of the infectious diseases such as the common cold spread through touch.
Wash your hands often throughout the day.
First thing do as soon as you get home.
I tell my kids to sing their favorite song as they wash in between their finger and the back of their hands.
Just a verse not the whole song.
Is your home dirty? Disinfect often especially if someone at home is sick.
Viruses can live on object for up to 2 hours on cups, towels and countertops.
We have a routine every evening to grab the alcohol bottle and wipe down the TV remote, door handles, refrigerator door handle, computer keyboard, video game controllers.
This is done EVERY NIGHT.
Never share plates, glasses or utensils.
Use paper cups in the bathroom, separate toothbrushes and keep them from touching..
I also taught my kids to sneeze or cough in the crook of their elbows and not their hands.
As you can see, use these simple, safe and strategies and prevent spreading germs.