1- Teach kids to wash their hands with soap and warm water after playing and before eating. They should scrub for 30 seconds (long enough for one round of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star").

2- Use alcohol-based hand wipes or hand gels when you can't get to a sink. Avoid those with Triclosan, an antibacterial agent that kills only weaker bacteria.

3- Show your child how to cough into her sleeve, and use tissues instead of her hands to wipe her nose.

4- Have each family member use his/her own towel.

5- Clean all wounds properly: Flush for one minute with running water, wash with soap, rinse, and cover with a bandage until healed.

6- Make sure your child receives all four Prevnar vaccinations. There have been periods of shortages since the vaccine's release, so some kids didn't get all four doses.