(NC)—Fewer leaves and a cooler breeze signal the arrival of cold and flu season in Canada. As adults and children spend more time indoors, they are more likely to come in contact with strains of influenza as a substantial proportion of infectious diseases are spread within households.

By taking steps to ensure hands and homes are kept clean, families could help reduce the spread of germs and make it through cold and flu season sniffle-free. According to the Hygiene Council's2011 Lysol HABIT Study (Hygiene: Attitudes, Behaviour, Insight and Traits), the odds of being healthy are almost one-and-a-half times higher among those who wash their hands more than six times a day.

And don't forget about the surfaces within your home. According to the Hygiene Council's 2011 Lysol Bacterial Survival Study, invisible bacteria can survive on surfaces in the home for several hours. For that reason, regular disinfecting, regardless of visible dirt, will greatly reduce the risk of catching a cold or the flu inside the home.

“Practicing good hygiene habits is something we can all do to help protect ourselves against colds and flu,” says Debra Lynkowski, CEO of Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA). “Getting a flu shot, washing your hands regularly, disinfecting surface areas within the home, and coughing and sneezing into your arm rather than your hand are just a few easy steps to help ward off colds and flu this season.”

You can visit hygienecouncil.com, lysol.ca or cpha.ca for more information and recommendations on improving hygiene levels in the home and community.