The weather is getting cooler and it is becoming that time of year that germs loved to be shared.  As we approach cold and flu season, what are some things you can do to prevent the spread of germs?

Raising a family with 4 children who loved to share germs, we came up with a few tricks of our own.  My best tip is to put a roll of paper towels in the bathrooms that are used by all.  Use a kitchen towel dispenser to make it look nice on the counter.  We stumbled upon this trick one year when we all kept sharing the stomach flu (not a fun year).  We gave everyone their own color coded towels for their bathrooms to no avail.  Only when another one fell sick did it occur to me that everyone used the guest bathroom to wash hands and we all used the same towel.  The switch to paper towels did the trick - I also got very good at wiping down counters, door knobs etc.  For more tips read this article from This Old House magazine

Don't forget to get your flu shot as well. And here's a consumer tip.  Don't "assume" that it will be cheaper to get your flu shot at your doctor's office.  Since I had one child at the doctor and they asked if she needed her flu shot, being a good mom I said "sure".   Then I received the bill - the shot was placed toward my deductible....$25.00 for the shot and $20.00 to administer it!  Let's just say the rest of us just went to Kroger and saved some money. So, as always, when someone offers you something ask "how much will this cost me?"  Need to find a flu shot location?  Visit www.flu.gov