You can’t protect your children from everything, but you can certainly be proactive when it comes to protecting them as much as possible. According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), children under the age of five are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications, but kids of all ages are at risk for catching the cold and flu.

By taking some simple precautions, you could reduce your kids’ chances of getting sick this cold and flu season.

1. Wash hands often

One of the most important ways to stop the spread of germs is hand washing or using hand sanitizer. To eliminate germs, make sure your child washes his or her hands routinely—after they cough or sneeze, use the bathroom, eat, play with others or pet animals.

Get your kids in the hand-washing habit by making it fun! You can try:

Setting a 20 second timer
Making soap bubbles
Giving a reward (like stickers)
Singing a song

For some singing inspiration, print out these nursery rhymes and tape it on the bathroom mirror to encourage good hygiene. Sing the rhyme two times to ensure your child washes their hands for the appropriate amount of time.

2. Eat, sleep and stay active

A well-balanced diet including plenty of water, proteins, fruits and vegetables is important for your child during cold and flu season, especially because these foods can help boost a child’s immune system.

Getting the right amount of sleep is essential for children during cold and flu season. The Mayo Clinic states that sleep deprivation has been shown to weaken the immune system and increase the risk of getting sick. To ensure your children are getting enough sleep each night, stick to a consistent bedtime routine.

Keeping your children active helps keep them healthy, too. Studies from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics have shown that being mobile can help reduce cold and flu episodes. Finding ways to keep kids moving can be a challenge during Michigan’s cold winter months; use the season as inspiration for child activities and spend an afternoon sledding, ice skating or building a snowman.

3. Clean and disinfect

Cleaning and disinfecting are especially important when someone in your household is ill. Pay attention to items that are touched regularly by your children (like toys, pacifiers and strollers) and clean those more often.

Make sure to regularly wash your child’s bedsheets, pillow cases, and towels every one or two weeks. Change your child’s clothes before naps to avoid bringing outside germs into bed.

4. Educate

Explain to your child that germs are all around, even when he or she can’t see them.

Teach them to keep their hands out of their eyes, mouth and nose and how to sneeze and cough into their elbow instead of their hands. Set a good example yourself and praise them when they follow those rules.

5. Vaccination

There are more serious dangers if your child falls ill with the flu compared to the common cold. The best way to avoid the severities and side effects of the flu is to vaccinate with the flu shot.

It is recommended by the CDC that all children older than 6 months get the flu vaccine by the end of October. However, as long as the illness remains active in your area, vaccinations are available and encouraged through January or later.

6. Avoid sharing

Normally, we teach our children that sharing is good, but that’s not the case when it comes to germs. Avoid letting your child share utensils, cups and straws with his or her siblings. The same goes for pacifiers, toothbrushes, gloves, coats, scarves and similar items.

If your child develops a fever, has shallow, slow or rapid breathing or is less responsive than usual, contact his or her doctor. For more information on cold and flu activity in Michigan, visit the state’s Department of Health & Human Services Influenza Website.

Six tips to keep your kids healthy during cold and flu season