(BPT) - As the weather gets colder, it's important to remember that cold and flu season swiftly follows. Respiratory illnesses typically rise in October and peak into winter, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), making this a crucial time to start preventive steps to keep your household healthier, all season long.
To help your family enjoy the season with fewer sneezes and sniffles, there are several steps you can take now.
Encourage handwashing
This time of year, you're likely to spend a lot more time indoors, as well as get together with friends and family for holidays and celebrations. Remind everyone in your household that this is the most important time of year to be extra vigilant about washing hands regularly to help keep germs from spreading, especially after returning home from work, school and social gatherings, and always before eating.
Use a germ-killing household disinfectant
Another effective tactic is making sure to disinfect high-touch surfaces throughout your home, including doorknobs, handles, light switches, railings, countertops and more. This is especially important before and after indoor gatherings, and even more crucial when someone in your family is or has been sick.
A trusted household disinfectant like Microban 24, which has just returned to market via Amazon, makes it easier than ever for consumers to incorporate 24-hour bacteria protection into household disinfecting routines.
Microban 24 initially kills 99.9% of cold and flu viruses,* and has the added benefit of killing 99.9% of bacteria that can live on hard, non-porous, non-food contact surfaces up to 24 hours** after treatment, when used as directed.
"Cold and flu season is the prime time when families should become most intentional about cleaning and disinfecting surfaces they touch often," said Jesse Turmenne, senior microbiologist for Microban.
Unlike many products that only kill bacteria with the initial application, both Microban 24 Sanitizing Spray and Microban 24 Multi-Purpose Cleaner offer continuous 24-hour bacteria protection on treated surfaces for up to 24 hours.**
"Ongoing protection for 24 hours after use is a real benefit when disinfecting high-touch and repeated use areas like door handles, light switches, bathroom counters and desks," said Turmenne.
He added that Microban 24 Sanitizing Spray also kills bacteria when used as directed on soft surfaces such as couches, backpacks and coats.
Follow healthy habits
In addition to frequent handwashing and keeping high-touch household surfaces disinfected, following a healthy lifestyle can also help safeguard against the worst that cold and flu season can dish out. For example, making sure to get plenty of sleep, eating nutritious foods, staying hydrated and getting regular exercise are additional ways to support your family's overall health and well-being during the fall and year round.
Visit Microban24.com to learn more about disinfecting your home during cold and flu season.
*Human Coronavirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza A H1N1.
**When used as directed, effective for 24 hours against Staphylococcus aureus & Klebsiella aerogenes bacteria. Microban 24 Hour Sanitizing Spray does not provide 24-hour residual virus protection.
