With winter temperatures hitting all-time lows this month, South Africans are really starting to feel the chill. The icy weather we’re experiencing around the country is the ideal breeding ground for colds and flu, meaning you’ll need to take extra care to keep yourself and your family safe. Follow these tips on how to safeguard your home against winter colds and flu and keep germs out in the cold.
Increase your vitamin C and D intake:
In winter, having enough vitamin C is really important for fighting off colds and flu. Just 45mg a day has shown to boost your immune system and keep the coughing, sneezing and fevers at bay. Vitamin C is pretty easy to come across as it is found in most fruit and vegetables. But the ones highest in Vitamin C are oranges, grapefruits, kale, broccoli and other greens.
The best way to get some Vitamin D in your body is by spending some time in the sun. Unfortunately, this can be pretty hard to do when it’s freezing cold outside, and all we want to do is stay indoors. In South Africa, however, we’re lucky enough to have some pretty warm afternoons, so even 10 mins a day can make a big difference. You can also help things along by increasing your intake of foods that contain Vitamin D such as fatty fish (like tuna, mackerel, and salmon), some dairy products, as well as orange juice, soy milk, and cereals.
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Keep people at arm’s length:
When it is cold outside, we want to cuddle, but coming into contact with people can spread colds and germs from person to person. Keeping a distance from others, especially ones who already have flu-like symptoms is key to staying healthy. Social distancing, like staying at home as much as possible and avoiding crowded, public places where close contact with others is likely, can help keep you healthy during the peak flu season.
Wash your hands
Don’t forget to wash your hands often. The viruses that cause colds and seasonal flu are spread by droplets, usually when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus is airborne and enters your body through your nose or mouth, or from your hands after you have touched an object contaminated with the virus. For instance, if you share a phone or a computer keyboard, or touch public door handles, and put your hands near your face, the virus could enter your mouth or nose. Washing your hands for at least 20 seconds using soap and water is best for cleaning cold viruses off your hands. If you don’t have access to soap and water, consider carrying an alcohol-based hand cleaner with you.
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Invest in an air conditioner:
It might seem crazy that an air conditioner can keep you healthy during the winter months, but investing in a good quality air conditioner to keep the air in your home clean may be your best defence against colds and flu this winter.
Devices like the LG ArtCool air conditioner has multiple features that help protect your home from harmful bacteria or allergens when you and your family need it the most. An Antibacterial Air Filter serves as the first line of defence, designed to capture dust particles over 10μm in size and then eliminate finer particles and bacteria from the air you breathe. The Multi-Protection filter removes harmful micro-particles including viruses, bacteria and allergens to provide a safer, healthier environment. Last but not least, the machine’s powerful plasma ioniser protects you from odours and harmful substances in the air with over 3 million ions to sterilise not only the air passing through the air conditioner but also surrounding surfaces for a safer, cleaner environment.
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