Flu season is upon us, and it’s a pretty aggressive flu season. Kids especially, are susceptible to colds and flu. Mostly because they’ don’t always think about all the ways they can protect themselves against germs and bacteria. When one kid gets sick, every kid tends to get sick. School classrooms and the school bus can turn into giant Petri dishes passing a cold around and around to each kid, and just when you think the cycle is over, it starts right up again. So let’s look at ways that you can protect your child against germs and bacteria and avoid nasty flu and cold season.

Kids are prone to getting sick
It’s estimated that the average child can catch up to ten colds a year. When one child gets sick, they tend to not only pass it on to their classmates but the whole family. The best thing you can do as a parent to protect your child against the common cold, is to teach them basic hygiene.
Schools are a breeding ground for germs
Unfortunately, schools and school buses can become breeding grounds for germs. It’s not because your kid’s school is dirty or lacking in hygiene. It’s that kids are not only more susceptible to catching a cold or the flu, but they are also more likely to spread the cold around to everyone else. The reasons why kids tend to get more colds than adults are:
- They’re not good at washing their hands
- They love to share everything
- Schools and school buses keep kids in close contact at all times
- They aren’t aware of how colds and flu are spread from person to person
Teaching kids good hygiene to get through flu and cold season

Parents need to teach their kids how to prevent the spread of germs. First of all, if your child is sick, keep them at home. Removing the contagious kid is going to help the spread of germs to the rest of the kids, parents, teachers, and school bus drivers. Second, get your kids immunized since preventative measures are better and less costly than dealing with a sick kid. Doctors visits, medicine, time away from work, and missed school can be costly. Third, teach your kid how to prevent the spread of germs, and how to protect themselves when they are around other sick kids.
Avoid getting sick on the school bus
School buses are the safest way to transport your kids. But when it comes to protecting them from the flu or the common cold, it’s up to the parents to teach kids good hygiene. Of course, a good indoor climate on the school bus will also help the spread of germs. Talk to a representative about the best school buses to transport your kids, as well as keeping a good indoor climate on the bus.
- Wash hands often, especially right after getting off of the school bus, playing with other kids, sharing toys, art supplies, and instruments.
- Hand sanitizers can keep your kid from contracting the flu or the cold.
- Cover the mouth when they cough or sneeze, or sneeze into their elbow. And of course, wash their hands afterward.
- Avoid sick kids that are sniffling, sneezing, and coughing.
CoWest is a Blue Bird School Bus representative. Call us for more information on the best school buses in the industry.