Our family all got our flu shots this week. I feel like I earned a mommy-badge too because it’s the first time I’ve taken all three kids on my own for the appointment! In the past few years, flu shots have been a non-negotiable fall routine in our household, and because of that my kids expect it, and for the most part go to the appointment without too much protest.
Just because we get the flu shot, it doesn’t mean we won’t still be hit by a wallop of a cold (if only we could be so lucky to escape seasonal colds too!) so I like to be prepared, especially when my husband travels for work and I’m parenting three kids on my own. Here are three essentials for every household with kids this cold and flu season:
Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer is the #1 recommended brand by pediatricians and mom. I can’t imagine taking my kid’s temperatures the way parents of previous generations did (shudder!) I love how easy an ear thermometer is to use, and brands like Braun make it even easier with features like an added nightlight for ease of reading in dark bedrooms, and even improved ergonomics making it so easy to use even on sleeping kids! I prefer an ear thermometer as the ear canal is the best place to measure a fever because of it’s close proximity the ear drum, and when dealing with a fever, accuracy is important!
The Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover Air Purifier is the #1 doctor recommended air filter brand works to capture up to 99.97% of the airborne particles, 0.3 microns and larger, that pass through the filter. Indoor air can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air, which is why it’s important to have an air purifier in your household especially during the winter months when the windows are always shut. The Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover has an easy tap power control with automatic shut-off timer.
And finally, my favorite product for battling cold and flu, the Vicks Sweet Dreams Cool Mist Humidifier! This humidifier features an independently controlled projector that offers three dream inspired scenes including: Safari, Sea and Starry Night and provide comfort with soothing Vicks VapoPads!
We’ve already put the humidifier to work this cold and flu season when my middle child had an annoying cough that would really flare up overnight. My girls share a bedroom and both loved the projection, deciding which one they would choose on each of the three nights we used the Vicks Sweet Dreams Cool Mist Humidifier. It doesn’t have to be used only when the kids have the sniffles either – you can also utilize it just to combat the dry air inevitable from a furnace running day and night. And, research has shown that maintaining indoor humidity levels between 40 to 60 per cent reduces the survival of flu viruses in the air!
Of course, it’s also helpful to have lots of liquids to combat a cold or flu, along with tissues and cozy blankets! Hopefully this will be a mild cold and flu season in Canada but if your household gets hit, you’ve got the info here on products to help you get through it! I’m with you, mamas!
One of our readers is going to win a Vicks Sweet Dreams Cool Mist Humidifier (SRP $64.99). Just enter your name and email address in the form below to get started!
This item is on my list for this year. I haven’t used anything like this before and I have been hearing a ton of great things about its effectiveness. I normally just drink Vitamin water and stay warm throughout the winter. If I start to get sick I use lozenges and cold/flu tablets.
I have in the past but then something happen to it so now just vicks, sleep cuddles and movies to help them
WE wash our surfaces and hands regularly and have been considering using items like your giveaway.
I have the Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer (have yet to use it knock on wood) we make sure to take our vitamins, wash our hands, use wipes when we are out and vicks really helps too
We get our flu shots in November when we see the doctor. We make sure our hands are washed all the time and dress warm when we go out. We steer clear of anyone sneezing or coughing if it can be helped.
We use humidifiers and essential oils ♡
I definitely have an ear thermometer for my boys. I would love a humidifier. I use Ester C and Oil of Oregano when I get a cold and drink tons of tea, OJ and chicken noodle soup. I also get lots of rest.
Lots of washing of hands and all the surfaces, lots of fluids, vitamin C, also make lots of chicken soup. Would love to use a humidifier!
A cool mist humidifier was always in use during cold season.
now I really want this item! we’ve always just used the rub, never a device like this.
Hand-washing, flu shots, snot suckers and vicks baby rub!
Just flu shots, clean hand and NEDI pots!
We wash and sanitize our hands the minute we get into the house. I also bring antiseptic wipes with me everywhere I go. We also take vitamins daily. I think that this cool mist humidifier would be helpful for my grandson, because he gets lots of nose bleeds when we turn on the furnace and the air gets dry.
Flu shots and hand washing
We don’t have much of a strategy for dealing with it, but we do our best to prevent it – hand washing, flu shots etc. I have a quick scan thermometer that has been super handy to have for my youngest for sure! And I have always wanted a humidifier – every year it is on my list of things to get and then I don’t!
we have an ear thermometer and take vitamins, drink lots of water and wash our hands 🙂
Flu shots, washing hands frequently, eating healthy foods and drinking water are the strategies we use to keep the flu under control.
I wash my hands without ceasing…love to win these products!!!
I take vitamins every day, have not had so much as a cold in years.
I use a lot of Kleenex, Vicks VapoRub, and cold medicine, that’s usually my strategy. I have never used anything like this but I am sure it would help my little one! Thanks so much for the chance!
furygirl3132[at]comcast[dot]net
Flu shots, wash hands a lot, try and stay away from sick people and dress appropriate for the weather. I would love to win the vaporizer for my 6 month old grand daughter!
Use Lysol, Flu shot and always wash hands
My one boy seems to always have colds and runny nose from October -march. My baby seems to be following suit. We do flu shots and wash hand regularly. We have reg. Humidifiers but this would be awesome!
We use humidifiers a lot and always have Tylenol and Stodal on hand. Boogie wipes and spray mist are also useful for runny noses.
At our house I go through the medicine cabinet and toss out the expired stuff and make a shopping list for the needed items, stock up on lysol wipes and Gatorade and tissues! I also ensure that each child has a change of clothes in each car! We use the same thermometer and love it!
We get flu shots and disinfect our door handles, light switches and remotes a lot – our ear thermometer quit working last year and I just haven’t been able to pick another one up yet
We do lots and lots of hand-washing and I try to keep lots of fresh fruits and veggies around to keep us all eating healthy. We have that thermometer you mentioned and I could never live with out it now. It’s so quick and easy!
We use a cool mist vapirizor, vicks vapor rub, tea and honey and essential oils. Other than that, lots of snuggles!
for me I use an Immune Booster
wash hands sneeze in elbow and lots of vitamin c. i love vicks vapur rub i use ito ften
I continue to offer lots of fresh produce, make sure the kids dress in layers and for the weather, lots of water. I use vicks vapour rub to help keep their airways clear, and to help them sleep.
We get flu shoys but they dont always keep the flu away. We wash our hands lots and clean door handles to try and prevent grems spreading. Thanks so much for the chance.
Wash hands often, sanitize things like faucets and doorknobs, and eat properly. I use the thermometer and humidifier
Hand washing, keeping things wiped down, lots of healthy food and shakes and stock up on vicks vapo rub, lemon tea, and kleenex
I keep bundled up, take my medicine, and I would definitely use this should I get to be a winner.
We wash our hands often and lysol commonly touched surfaces. We have that thermometer.
My cold and flu strategy for my family is proper sleep and nutrition, including water intake. I use essential oils in a nebulizer and we take vitamins. I air out the house by opening windows on warmer days. We could use more help to stave off the nasty bugs and appreciate your tips!
we have our vicks vapourizer just in case…we have our humidifer, we wassh and sanitize our hand regularly, and if my kids are coughing we tend to use the vapo rub on their feet trick to ease their cough
We use Vapor rub and try to keep the person who is sick quarantined.
Hand washing healthy eating and lots of rest
we use humidifiers and nebulizers when we are sick.
I have the Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer and we use a humidifier
I eat fresh garlic on toast, bread, in hot milk with sugar and butter, lots of hand washing, no touching the face. I have not used anything like this product but I have always used Vicks even as a little girl with my mom.
We have on hand chicken soup, tissues, liquids and thermometers.
We always use a cool mist humidifier
I wash my hands a lot and use cold and flue capsules if I catch something.
Lysol, vicks and essential oils when possible are a mainstay for our household. Of course a lot of washing hands and asking that visitors wash hands!
Don’t own anything like this. I do make sure to clean surfaces, door handles and taps at home more often during the winter months though to keep the germs at bay. Also make sure that everyone is washing their hands more often too
we have a cool mist humidifier and ear thermometer, and we make sure we eat foods with lots of spices, onion, garlic, etc to help keeps colds away
We wash our hands a lot, eat nutritional foods, get plenty of sleep and always have pain relievers, gravol and gingerale on hand
We take vitamins, wash hands lots, and drink lots of water.
We do have a air cleaner , not quite as nice as this one , but it works 😉 I keep lots of fruit and juice on hand , natures way to battle and i remind everyone about washing their hands very often ! 😀
we practice early on to wash and sanitize our hands and to stay home when we are really sick
I’m hoping to use my essential oils this winter!
I love my Braun thermonitor. When daughter is sick I put Vicks on her feet and use a natural cough syrup with honey.
I wash my hands as often as possible, as well as drink plenty of OJ.. and dress appropriately for the weather!
We use a humidifier and lots of hand washing, helps to keep my family healthy!
cold fx love it
We wash our hands often, take extra vitamin and we do use a cool mist humidifier when colds/flu bugs do happen.
We constantly wash our hand and diffuse Young Living’s Thieves. Our house gets so dry I love having a humidifier in each room, especially our sons. But my son’s just broke last winter so we need a new one, winning this would be awesome!
We get our flu shots and wash our hands often. We drink lots of water and dress warm.
I get the flu shot but if myself or any one gets sick I double up on their Vitamin c and I make sure we wash our hands when we come from town or school. I believe in rest/sleep is the best medicine too
We had been using a gun shaped digital thermometer for the two boys 6 and 4 which worked extremely well but broke. We have been searching for a reliable replacement and will keep Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer in mind. Grand baby little darling Miss Autumn Rachel born in sept still needs a vaporizer for her room. It sure gets expensive! Cold air vaporizer ,infant vicks ,boogie wipes lots of rest , and snuggles are the prescription we rely on.
I get the flu shot, I also steam with Vicks and hot water and breathe warm saltwater up my nose. A humidifier sure would help for the dry air.
I got my flu shot, we wash our hands every time we come inside and try to stay away from sick people if possible. Always wash our hands before we eat too
One of our cold and flu survival strategies at home is to consistently wash our hands throughout the day.
Also, SNEEZE INTO YOUR SLEEVE AND NOT YOUR HANDS! That’s the key.
I always get a flu shot, wash my hands a lot and try to eat well.
Hubby and I get our flu shots, I carry lysol wipes with me , wash my hands alot and try to avoid ppl who are sick
Thanks for this post and generous giveaway opportunity. We haven’t used products such as those mentioned. Usually we try not to keep the house too hot and dry. Sometimes we put out pails of water by the heating vents in the bedrooms and that helps humidify the air when the heat is on. We take extra vitamins and try to stay as healthy as possible. A cool mist humidifier would be super. I’d be able to put my water buckets away. lol
We try to keep everything sanitary, making sure noses are wiped and hands are washed thoroughly!
i change hand towels often and sanitize tooth brushes
Humidity and a lot of hand washing. And throat spray. And a nice pillow and blankie.
We use the ear thermometer and also have the air purifier , lots of soup and vitamin c
Lots of fluids and cuddles. We have one cool mist humidifier but it seems my boys are always sick at the same time and could really use a second one.
Good hand hygiene is top of the list
I encourage my kids to wash their hands a lot. We have an ear thermometer. it is the best. So quick to get the temp!
We take Oil of Oregano three times a day when we are sick. We also wash our hands often and get plenty of rest. Warm tea and vitamin c also helps:)
This would be nice to
Win for my family ?
No. We us the old style Thermometer, our old Air Purifier & Humidifier broke down a few years back(no money to replace)… So we generally make sure to wash our hands especially after we arrive home after going out, we get our yearly flu shots, do yoga…to name a few things…
Hand sanitizer when people around us are sick.
I wash my hands frequently, avoid others who are sick, and if we do get sick we drink plenty of fluids, take ColdFX and get lots of rest and pile on the blankets. I used to use a humidifier until ours quit working.
lots of hand washing & flu shots.
Hand washing and hand sani
We wash our hands often, eat lots of fruits & veggies & use a humidifier.
I make my kid wear a hazmat suit to preschool. Tons of hand washing. When the flu/cold breaks through our defenses we increase liquids and rest. We would keep track of temperatures if our thermometer hadn’t bit the big one.
We do a lot of hand washing and sanitizing during cold season! We also make sure everyone takes their vitamins!
We stock up in September on flu supplies- Vicks, cough medicine, etc at Costco so when and if it hits we are covered 🙂 We just tried a product from Watkins I got from Shoppers Drug Mart, its a spray that has the smell of Vicks Vapor Rub and you can spray it in your shower or sheets when you need to breathe when your sick. It was amazing!
We use an air purifier and have had our eyes on a cool mist humidifier but haven’t gotten around to it yet. We also use the vicks straight up.
Lots of handwashing and when we get sick we use nyquil!!
Fluids, Vicks vaporub and lots of sleep!
Lots of chicken soup, oj, handwashing, Vaporub, saline spray and rest.
hand washing
air purifier
We also get our flu shots, except for hubby, we practice hand washing and we use Boiron homeopathic cold remedies! Thanks for another great giveaway! 🙂
Fruits, tea, vicks and sleep
We get flu shots and if we do get sick, we make sure to get lots of rest so it doesn’t stay with us too long.
The old chicken soup remedy! It warms us up when we feel bad!
lots of hand washing and love my lysol wipes for bathrooms and kitchen especially –lots of rest and fluids
We have a cool mist vapourizer that is utilized when any of us start feeling the onset of a cold.
We used to use an air purifier but need a new one.
Definitely take all precautions by taking vitamins, wash our hands and flu shots. I always make sure that I am stocked up with cough and cold meds along with tissues, tea, honey and lemon. My daughter would benefit from having a cool mist humidifier as unfortunately the upcoming season is not her friend and she gets sick often as her immune system is weak.
i take vitamins and clean and disenfect daily
I drink lots of water and take extra vitamin C.
lots of hand washing, fluids and rest
Vitamins, meds on hand and lots of water
we use humidifiers, drink plenty of fluids, take our vitamin c & d, and dress for the weather, when I feel a cold coming on I take vitamin C and it seems to keep it away
Taking vitamins, washing hand regularly
We use a humidifier and drink lots of tea.
We wash our hands often, drink lots of fluids and buy lots of kleenex
We wash our hands lots, apply baby Vicks on the bottoms of our little one’s feet at bedtime, and add grated organic orange peel to smoothies, oatmeal etc. I also like to use eucalyptus disks in the shower (for myself).
We get flu shots, practice good hand washing, fresh air and vitamin c and D!
Vitamins, getting lots of rest and washing hands.
We mostly use homeopathic remedies. Humidifier was useful when we had it, but it’s broken now.
We wash our hands frequently. We use Vicks but I don’t have a humid ire, this looks cool. I’ve been eyeing one for a bit
I use Sanitizer like a psycho….with my Son in SK he is always bringing germs home. One tip I can share is when my Son has a cold I always dab some vasoline on his nose, with all the blowing his nose doesnt get chaffed up.
We practice lots of hand washing and disinfecting door knobs and tabletops.
We make sure we get plenty of fresh air and exercise as well as take vitamins and wash our hands well. I keep thinking about getting a humidifier but I haven’t yet.
We get our flu shots in November, take Vit D & C ,wash our hands frequently & drink plenty of fluids
We wash our hands frequently and take vitamin C.
We stock up on orange juice. We also get our flu shots every year.
Its all about the humidifier in our house!
This year we will all get flu shots I pick up everything now that I have cancer
We take vitamins and try to eat well. We keep the house clean and avoid anyone who is sick (mostly).
Hand-washing
Handwashing and properly covering sneezes and coughs
Flu shots, fluids, Vicks, cuddles and essential oils 🙂
Always have the tissues handy! Plus the snot-sucker for the little ones. Always think about getting a humidifier too…this would be perfect!
I need a humidifier this year as I have been getting nose bleeds…
We have an air purifier going in our kids play room. We use essential oils in our nebulizer and take vitamins daily!
We drink lots of fluids and take vitamins. This humidifier would be really helpful as well.
My kids all got flu shots hopefully we are not going to need to use our cold and flu stuff too much. We have a humidifier and they also take vitamins.
We wash our hands frequently and wipe all the doorknobs and light switches with disinfecting wipes.
I keep warm honey tea by my bed, wash my hands, stay warm and try not to take a scalding shower or a freezing bath so as to change my temperature drastically. A cool air humidifier would help!
wash hands
Wash our hands, drink lots of water, fresh air and a humidifier!
We have the Braun thermometer here…..Vicks has been in use here for years!
Handwashing… a lot, drinking lots of liquids & Vitamic C.
Healthy diet, vitamins and supplements, essential oils are all on our list!
We try our best to wash our hands and not touch our face, we love the use of humidifiers and love that we have a chance to win this one.
I take cold fx during cold and flu season, never get sick!
Wash your hands all the time and take vitamins
I have an emergency cold and flu kit at home. But when the flu is BAD its bad and only time will make it go away.
We survive with lots of tissues, vitamin C, Vicks on the chest if needed, lots of liquids and lots of sleep.
We get the flu shot and wash our hands more often
We wash hands more, eat more vitamin c, and keep active to beat colds.
Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. I say it like 1000 times a day!
Wash hands often and take daily vitamins
Nothing special. Getting sick happens.
I’ve generally done nothing but this year I desperately want to get a humidifier as I’ve developed allergies and am constantly congested!
we ramp up our vitamins, especially Vit C. We do use a humidifier when things get really rough
We try to avoid the flu as much as possible (fluids, healthy food, flu shot) but if it hits, we use lots of soap – hand and laundry!! 🙂
We get Flu Shots , vitamin D , cold fx use lysol spray and wipes and lots of hand washing , i have an Ear The thermometer and vicks is a big life safer in our home , thanks for the chance 🙂
We do flu shots, lots of hand washing, eating healthy, and vitamin D.
lots of vicks and tissues
We use our thermometer a lot in the winter. We also have a really old humidifier. We make sure our daughter gets a lot of fluids and rest also.
I always have a digital thermometer and air purifier on hand all year round. During the cold and flu season, I stock up on Vicks vapo rub and tissues. When the cold and flu hit our house we use all of the products and drink lots of fluids and rest.
We use the thermometer and would benefit from the Honeywell Allergen remover. We use Vicks in this house, lots of hand washing and staying home when sick.
I use a humidifier but it’s very old! I’d love to offer this to my nephews
I would love an air purifier. We use vicks products and vitamin C
I get a flu shot every year and need a new humidifier as my last one broke in the spring
I keep my children’s breathing clear with vicks and a humidifier.
We were given an in ear thermometer when our first was born. It has been a fantastic life saver on nights when the kids have been sick.
If we are really congested, I will use products like those mentioned!
We consume Vitamin C and drink lots of liquids
Currently suffering from the worst flu I have ever had. I am coping with tea, vitamins, a humidifier and a neti pot!
Typically when sick I would reach for Day-Quil or Night-Quil… now with a wee 6 mth old I know I NEED to acquire Vicks Babyrub and a cold water humidifier before I need it!! (I love the Vicks Sweet Dreams Cool Mist Humidifier, looks great!!)
We LOVE our digital thermometer! It was given to us as a gift when my oldest was born. So nice to have something non-intrusive when they’re feeling sleepy!
Right now I just have a rectal thermometer for my son, advil and vicks. This would definitely help out in my house!
Lots of hand washing!! We have the ear thermometer.. love it!
We use a humidifier and drink Shakeology and use elderberries to boost our immune systems.
I like to ensure I get lots of rest, vitamin C is a must. And I do humidify the air, we have to as the house is heated with electric heat.
Vaporizer, Vicks on the throat and chest and lots of fluids and rest for this gal.
As soon as someone is sick in my house, the Lysol wipes come out and EVERYTHING gets a daily wipe down! I also get the Scentsy going in the necessary bedrooms with eucalyptus wax in it. Also, vicks on the bottom of the feet before bed works MIRACLES!
I wash my hands like crazy & I try to avoid touching my face.
Whenever the kids get sick we HAVE to use a humidifier – my one child has asthma and colds/flus hit him pretty hard. We’ll be getting flu shots this year too
No I do not utilize products like that as I do not own them.
lots of vitamin c and homemade chicken soup
If my kids get coughs I always rub Vicks on the soles of their feet at bedtime and have them wear socks to bed. Seems to completely stop the nighttime coughing!
A lot of hand washing to combat even getting sick and if it creeps in, I give the kids Vicks and Benedryl to help them cope.
thanks!
I don’t have a humidifier. We just make sure we wash our hands often and get lots of rest.
Washing hands in hot water and taking vitamins.
We use Vicks vapo rub a lot especially for my littler ones as I don’t like to use cold medicine. My fiance’s mom has an old trick where she used to put Vicks on the bottom of her children’s feet before bed. I’m not sure if it actually works but I try it every time my littles have a cold!
Emergen-C and crock pot chicken noodle if that doesn’t work, gets us through the dreaded cold and flu season.
I use vicks vapo rub and cold medicine. Drink lots of fluids and stay in bed and rest.
We stock up on all kinds of medicines this time of year, tissue, hot water bottles and we had a humidifier but it stopped working last year and I forgot to replace it! Would love to win this prize!
My cold and flu survival strategy at home is to drink enough fluids everyday and echinacea tea few times a week
Wash hands regularly, stay hydrated, and wear warm clothing – that’s my strategy to avoiding the cold and flu.
i wash hand often
We use hand sanitizer, wash hands frequently, and always sneeze into our sleeves not our hands or air!
We use vapourizers all the time for colds and chest infections. Vicks has always been our first choice as we use the Vicks products too. Excellent idea to add projections to it.
We drink tea, apple cider vinegar and chicken soup and just try to get lots of rest and fluids.
First sign of the flue I made a large pot of chicken soup! Always works. I turn off the furnace and open all the windows to change the air in the house!
WE drink tea , cuddle on the couch and snuggle the cold away .
Wash hands,chicken soup,sleep
Good hand hygiene is top of the list
washing hands , extra vit C&d to keep colds at bay.
Washing hands and surfaces!
I have never used any of these before, when I feel a cold coming on, I lather up in Vicks, for me and for my kids. Lots of fluids and rest
We use a lot of different approaches/things to help.
A lot of vitamin c, rest and would love a humidifier!
We use air purifiers, ear thermometers and microwavable bean bags at flu time AND lots of fluids.
We currently do not have a vaporizer so this would be awesome!! I have a essential oil diffuser in my bedroom, and when the kids were sick a few weeks ago we used it a lot with eucalyptus essential oil 🙂
lots of rest, and lots of fluids
I purchased the Vicks Starry Night humidifier for a girlfriend about a year ago…My husband loved it and said “We could have used that you know” lol! In our house I usually melt down a bit of vicks vapo rub on my candle warmer and burn that for a little while 🙂
Flu shot, lots vitamins and hand sanitizer at the door.
We do alot of hand washing and making sure we sleep enough
We take VItamin C all winter long.
Lots of hand washing, us adults use hand sinitizer, and we do flu shots!
I could totally use a humidifier for my son – he is always struggling with his sinuses! We usually just tough out the colds 🙁
yes ours is old and we use one in winter and we get flu shots
I use lots of Lysol wipes for all surfaces, wash hands often and covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze. Lots of vitamin C as well.
I do utiliz e a hepa air purifier which is my best cold and flu survival strategy at home, as well as helping with allergies.
We wash our hands a lot and take Honey and Lemon to feel good. My mouth and throat get so dry, I think the Vicks Sweet Dreams would be helpful.
my only strategy is hand washing, socks, lemon water and rest