How to Prepare Yourself and Home for Flu Season

With the cold months approaching, cold and flu season begins. Preparing yourself and your home during these months can give peace of mind knowing that your family will be safe while at home in your care. Follow these simple precautionary steps to prepare.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. You should always make a check list and make sure you have the following supplies in your home.
   
   Antibacterial soap
   Hand sanitizer that is alcohol based
   Any brand of acetaminophen's
   Any brand of Ibuprofen
   Any Brand of Aspirin, Make sure it is age appropriate.
   Cough and cold medicines
   Sore throat lozenges
   utensils to give medicine, such as measuring spoons or medicine droppers. You should not use a regular spoon to give medicine, they are not accurate forms of measurement.
   
   Keep tract of the expiration dates on all the medicine. Place a checklist next to the medicine cabinet and write down everything that is inside with the expiration date next to it. Be sure to also make a column on the checklist with information on the quantity that is left after each use.

2. You want to make sure you stock up on household and toiletries during these months of flu season. It is also a great way to prepare the home for other natural disasters or emergencies. Check your home to make sure you have the following,
   
   Thermometer (All types that are age appropriate)
   Plenty of fluids (water, fruit juice, soups, broth, and electrolytes such as gatorade or pedialyte).
   Easily digested foods such as oatmeal, maypo, rice and applesauce.
   House hold cleaners and disinfectants to clean air and surfaces.
   Paper towels
   Trash bags
   Warm and Cold packs.

3. When your the one taking care of those who are sick in your household, you too have to make sure that you are healthy and able to care fore your loved ones during this time. Here is an easy check list to make sure you are caring for yourself too.
   
   Eat a healthy meal.
   Drink plenty of fluids.
   Avoid taking inhibitors that can cause delayed reactions such as alcohol or illegal drug use.
   Practice breathing exercises to maintain a low level of stress and anxiety.
   Do not over exert yourself.
   Maintain good hygiene.
   Get plenty of rest.
   Stay physically fit.
   Understand that you are not a medical physician and are not a miracle worker. Some circumstances are out of your control.

4. Keep notes of all symptoms that your loved one is having. Make sure you have a back-up assistant incase you too become ill. Know the signs of over exertion.
   
   Pounding and racing of the heart
   Shortness of breath
   Dizzy or feelings of faint
   Hot flashes or chills
   Excessive sweating, chills, or shacking
   Becoming clostophobic
   Nauseated or upset stomatch
   Numbness or tingling of extrimidies
   An onset of insomnia.
   
   If you begin to feel symptoms similar to these, it can be a sign that your coming down with the flu. If a fever, cough, and muscle aches are accompanied by these symptoms make an appointment with your Primary Care Physician as soon as possible.

5. Remember keeping a clean and organized home, can reduce the chances of spreading the flu or cold. Keep all common areas clean and sanitized. Disinfect the telephones, door knobs, remote controllers, computer keyboards, keep clean linens on beds, change bath and hand towels regularly. These steps to prevent and prepare yourself and your home during flu season will not only keep your family safe and healthy, it will also keep you healthy.