As the temperature steadily continues to fall, the risk of catching the flu continues to rise across the country. While the first and most important step you can take to prevent the flu is to get a yearly vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends some additional tips to keep you and your family healthy this winter. Among these tips are:

• Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick.
• Stay at home when you are sick. Rest plays an important role in recuperation. Also, by staying home you will prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze, so as to not spread illness.
• Clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer often in order kill germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. These are prime areas for germs to enter the body.

Striving to live a healthy lifestyle by cleaning and disinfecting your living space, getting plenty of sleep, exercising regularly, drinking lots of fluids and eating a nutritious diet can also help in preventing illness.  Share with us how you are keeping your loved ones safe this flu season in the comments section!