It’s the time of year when children, co-workers, and friends are developing influenza and cold symptoms. With the added emphasis on the presence of the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, you want to ensure you, your family, and your guests are not infecting each other when you entertain.
When you are phoning your guests to invite them to your social evening, or on the invitation if you are mailing or e-mailing, be sure to mention that you are taking all precautions to prevent the transmission of germs. Give the time, date and other details of your party and tell them how welcome they are, then add a serious but light-hearted note that you will be asking them to refrain from the traditional hug or hand shake of greeting. Instead offer each other a respectful bow of respect, reminiscent of the south-east Asia cultures. Urge them to stay at home if they are not feeling well.
Before your guests arrive, be sure to wash down all tabletops, door knobs, stair railings, and bathroom fixtures with an anti-bacterial cleanser. In the kitchen, keep a container of wipes on the countertop and use it often throughout the evening if guests are in and out of the kitchen.
Keep hand sanitizer bottles prominent throughout the house. There are many decorative containers in which they are now sold so they don’t have take away from your décor. Read the label to ensure it has at least 62 percent alcohol. Have several boxes of tissue in close proximity as well. In your bathrooms, keep antiseptic soap by every sink.
Set a good example for your guests by coughing or sneezing into a tissue, or at least into the crook of your arm or shoulder to prevent the germs from spraying all over the immediate area. If you forget and sneeze into your hand, wash immediately.
If your guests are helping themselves to ice, be sure to have tongs so they don’t have to pick up the cubes in their hands. If you can get a chance through the evening to wipe the area with antibacterial wipes do so.
Use as much disposable kitchen ware as you can, trying to ensure it’s biodegradable and environmentally-friendly.
Don’t limit your selection of alcohol that you serve. Red wine has been found to decrease the chances of contacting the flu by 20 percent in those who drink a glass of red wine daily. Wine contains vitamins and antioxidants, like resveratrol. And limited amounts of alcohol may be beneficial, so do enjoy a drink or two if you wish.
If you have children, or if children will be attending your event, be sure that each youngster has his or her own drinking glass, utensils, and napkins. Remind them of what is safe to share and about using a tissue if they have to sneeze. Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer close by and make a game out of using it frequently throughout the party.
With a little common sense, you can entertain through the flu and cold season without jeopardizing the health of your friends and family. Stock up today on the necessary items to make your home a safe and viral-free place.
