Summer is coming to an end, and school is just around the corner. Between the buzz of new classrooms and meeting friends, it is easy for kiddos to get sick. To help little ones stay healthy and happy, here are some handy tips to keep those pesky germs at bay as the school year kicks off.

1. Encourage your children NOT to share.

While sharing is an important life skill, it can also spread unwanted germs. Sharing things like water bottles, food, dirty clothes, lip balms, and even school supplies can transfer germs easily. To help prevent sickness, remind your kids that some items are best kept personal.

2. Desks are a germ hotspot.

With so many children using the same desks each day, it is no wonder that germs love them. Since desks can’t be wiped down between each use, encourage your child to avoid resting their heads or hands on them and to use hand sanitizer or wash their hands when switching classrooms.

3. Skip the water fountain.

The water fountain in schools is one of the germiest spots in the whole building. Many children put their mouths directly on the spout, leaving their germs behind for the next drinker. If possible, send your child to school with a reusable water bottle or teach them to let the water run for a few seconds before drinking to wash away some germs.

4. Clean your lunch tray.

Cafeteria trays are riddled with germs. While they do get cleaned regularly, it isn’t possible for the cafeteria workers to disinfect them thoroughly after each child. To be safe, when your kid is going to buy lunch, send them to school with sanitizing wipes and ask them to wipe down their tray before they put food on it. Also ask that your child wash their hands before and after eating to avoid taking any stubborn germs with them.

5. Stock up on portable hand sanitizers.

There are many times during the day, such as after coughing, sneezing, or recess, when children should wash their hands. However, water and soap are not always readily available. Sending them to school with their own portable sanitizer means they can clean their hands whenever they need.

6. Fill your medicine cabinet with ColdCalm Kids and Oscillococcinum

Despite all these efforts, sometimes germs manage to sneak past our defenses. That’s why it’s important to be prepared with homeopathic medicines that help relieve symptoms of common back-to-school issues such as colds and flu.

ColdCalm Kids relieves sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and occasional minor sore throat.* Available as meltaway pellets or liquid doses, ColdCalm Kids is easy to give and phenylephrine-free. Oscillococcinum reduces the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms such as body aches, headache, fever, chills, and fatigue.** Recommended for anyone 2 years of age and older, these meltaway pellets work best when taken at the first sign of symptoms.

The beginning of the school year doesn’t have to mean back-to-school sicknesses. Use these tips to beat the bugs and start the year off strong. For more helpful tips to keep your kids healthy all year long, follow us on social media. Join the Boiron community on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for expert advice, fun ideas, and exclusive updates.

*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.

**These “Uses” have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.