A “Scarily” Good Seasonal Reminder to Help Kids Curb Germs

Right behind the witches, warlocks and candy bars headed to your door this season is another visitor: cold and flu season.  Help your kids remember the new "not in your hands!" coughing and sneezing protocols with a few quick demonstrations of what even the Surgeon General refers to as the "Dracula Sneeze."

Raising your arm to cover your nose and sneezing or coughing into the crook of your elbow may look a little odd at first, if not outright horror-show worthy, but it’s what happens when kids cough or sneeze into their hands that should frighten you. Those little germ particles are off and running on their infectious journey to the next surface or playmate, and some of them can wait awhile to meet their new hosts. Scary!

The "Dracula sneeze" has been shown to dramatically reduce transmission of colds and flu in schools and between family members, so help keep your kids healthy (and laughing at the same time) by channeling your inner vampire!