Fend off the Flu This Season

(NewsUSA) - If you find yourself coming down with a bad case of the sniffles this winter, you aren't the only one. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year 35 to 50 million Americans contract some strain of the flu, and children miss approximately 22 million days of school due to symptoms caused by colds and the flu. Many of these diseases are spread from touching infected surfaces and then one's nose, mouth and eyes -; not just through coughing and sneezing.

This year, protect your family and stay healthy with these simple tips that will keep you germ-free:

* It's an obvious but often overlooked step -; wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap. According to Dr. Charles "Dr. Germ" Gerba at the University of Arizona, the process of hand washing alone can reduce illness rates by 30 to 50 percent.

* Know the limitations of sanitizers and disinfectants. Many of these products kill bacteria that lie on the surface but don't provide long-term protection. Many hard surfaces can become re-contaminated with bacteria or viruses within seconds of being cleaned. Pathogens that cause respiratory infections, particularly in children, typically survive for up to three days on surfaces, according to a study by Dr. Gerba.

Some great products to try this season include:

* New products like Unelko's non-toxic, biodegradable 1-Step Clean & Shield (www.unelko.com), the only surface care product that deep-cleans and forms an organic, protective shield on surfaces -; prevents the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew. This product applies an invisible water, soil and stain repellent barrier that lasts for days, providing one-step cleaning and long-term surface protection.

* Children's backpacks carry germs into your home and, when thrown on the floor, those germs spread. Try eco-friendly cleaners for your floors. Steam-cleaning products like Shark's Steam Mop (www.SharkSteamMop.com) turns ordinary tap water into deep-cleaning steam that lifts dirt out of hard surfaces, locking it away in a microfiber pad and outperforming chemical pad mops -; keeping your home clean and toxin free. More than 150 chemicals found in the average home have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

"Article By: NewsUSA"