Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2024-12-12T10:47:00

(BPT) – Every holiday season, finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones can feel overwhelming. This year, let Lowe’s simplify the process with unique, thoughtful options that bring joy and creativity to your celebrations. Whether you’re shopping for kids, the DIY enthusiast, or even that hard-to-buy-for relative, Lowe’s has you covered with an exciting lineup of gifts and services designed to make your holiday stress-free.

Known for their shared passion for creating personalized, functional living spaces, Lowe’s has partnered with Danielle and Kevin Jonas to share their favorite tips and picks for thoughtful gifts and holiday decorating ideas.

Unique gifts for kids of every age and interest

For the little ones, Danielle Jonas loves DIY craft kits that encourage creativity and keep kids entertained for hours. Options like the Build and Grow Kid’s Castle Project Kit or the Make Your Own Holiday Snow Globes inspire imaginative play and seasonal fun.

For fans of TikTok trends, Kevin highlights the versatile Kobalt Mini Tool Box. Its compact size and vibrant color options make it a popular choice — not just for kids, but for adults too! Ideal for storing everything from craft supplies to collectibles, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

“The holidays can get pretty busy with family gatherings, shopping, and finding the perfect gifts. We’re always looking for ways to make things easier and more fun. That’s why we love shopping at Lowe’s — they have it all! Whether we’re picking up tools for a home project, gifts for our little ones or holiday décor to spruce up the house, Lowe’s makes it simple to check everything off our list,” shared Kevin and Danielle Jonas.

Looking for something more? Lowe’s Gift Zone offers a curated selection of stylish and practical presents, while flexible shopping and delivery options, or convenient services like Buy Online, Pick Up In Store, ensure you can shop stress-free.

Deck the halls with ease

Need to refresh your home’s décor for the season? Lowe’s has everything you need to create a warm and inviting space for your gatherings.

Danielle suggests keeping holiday décor cohesive with a simple color scheme or theme — think natural greenery with frosted accents or bold pops of festive red and gold. Kevin loves exploring Lowe’s tech-savvy offerings, like app-controlled Twinkly Smart Lights or Bluetooth-enabled animatronics, which bring a modern twist to traditional decorations.

Whether you’re adding finishing touches or starting fresh, Lowe’s knowledgeable associates are ready to help you find the perfect pieces to make your home shine this season.

Thoughtful gifts, stress-free solutions

From craft kits for kids to innovative gadgets for DIYers, Lowe’s makes it easy to find something special for everyone on your list. And with flexible shopping and delivery options, or convenient services like Buy Online, Pick Up In Store, you can shop when it’s most convenient for you.

Start your holiday shopping today at Lowes.com or visit your local Lowe’s to explore festive décor and gifts for everyone on your list.

Looking for savings and perks? Join MyLowe’s Rewards* to unlock member-only deals and make the most of every shopping trip this season.

*Loyalty program subject to Terms & Conditions. Details at Lowes.com/Terms. Subject to change.

2024-12-11T10:01:00

(BPT) – AI, drones, and e-commerce technology advancements, increasingly global supply chains, and today’s instant delivery expectations are changing the way businesses manage their inventory. To meet and exceed customer expectations and effectively control costs, business leaders must constantly improve the tracking and accounting of product at physical locations to ensure counts are synchronized across e-commerce sites, backend warehouse management, and accounting systems. It is becoming increasingly critical for revenue growth and cost management for any retail, manufacturing, or fulfillment business, that inventory optimization is achieved through accurate forecasting, inventory cycle counts, and removing manual processes from the work of warehouse and logistics staff.

One recent publicly listed company, ZenaTech (Nasdaq: Zena), and its subsidiary ZenaDrone are set to lead the charge for this innovation. Their indoor self-flying or autonomous drones are transforming the inventory management and stocktake process by doing more accurate full physical counts of inventory as frequently as on an hourly basis. They are also changing the face of decision-making and planning particularly for “available-to-promise” (ATP) or “capable-to-promise” (CTP) forecasting and leveraging machine learning and predictive tools to automate and bring accuracy that can further improve the entire process.

Inventory carrying costs (ICC) are so important for any business to manage as they can eat significantly into the bottom line. Not just the actual product or material storage, but the associated handling costs, insurance, taxes, shrinkage, depreciation — and the opportunity cost of having capital tied up in inventory. It is easy to see how quickly the costs of holding and storing unsold or work-in-process goods add up.

AI self-flying or autonomous drones are a modern way to help reduce ICC — while also improving inventory management, stocktaking, and verifying the physical goods in your warehouse or storage facility, they also minimize labor costs.

This is one company to watch that addresses these problems directly and has a great future ahead.

Upgrade and innovate your inventory systems

ZenaTech‘s ZenaDrone has developed the new IQ Nano, a 10×10-inch drone designed to perform regular and frequent inspections including bar code or RFID scanning, facility maintenance inspections, security monitoring, 3D indoor mapping and other applications in a warehouse or distribution facility.

The IQ Nano is designed for autonomous use with integrated sensors, high-quality cameras, data collection and analysis, and AI capabilities. Weighing just 3.3 pounds and with a flight time of up to 20 minutes before autonomously touching down and recharging using its automatic battery charging station, the IQ Nano is designed for hovering stability and safety, thanks to its built-in obstacle avoidance capabilities.

“The IQ Nano is a breakthrough technology that dramatically reduces the burden of inventory management in terms of both labor and cost,” said ZenaTech CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. “This dramatically improves decision-making and efficient operations by being able to assess and manage physical inventory cost-effectively by the hour instead of once every quarter, as is often done. This easily results in inventory cost savings in millions of dollars per year for multi-warehouse facility customers.”

Transform your warehouse processes for a single facility or a network

Inventory management has become increasingly complex due to global facilities, information, and supply chains. According to Forrester research, omnichannel fulfillment across multiple stores, sales channels, and online marketplaces is a high or top priority for 94% of retailers. Ultimately, this is a much larger network than many traditional inventory management systems were designed to track and manage.

By adopting ZenaTech’s ZenaDrone solutions, warehouse facilities can improve their operations and more easily account for inventory in addition to optimizing costs, compliance, and financial reporting:

1. Reduce costs and eliminate manual processes: Move from occasional or regular quarterly/annual stocktakes, to continuous inventory data, ensuring more accuracy and efficiency across the enterprise. This will boost productivity and cost reduction by eliminating the need for time-consuming and tedious manual counts.

2. Improve safety in the warehouse: Drones can reduce the need to climb up ladders and reach top shelves or other hard-to-reach areas, dramatically reducing safety issues and improving safety compliance.

3. Improve inventory carrying costs: Better accuracy knowing what is sitting in inventory or work-in-process for better decision making to lower overall inventory costs.

4. Instant identification of misplaced items: Swiftly identify and rectify misplaced pallets, boxes, and SKUs, streamlining picking, replenishment, and shipment processes.

5. Optimized goods tracking: Always know the exact location of goods, minimizing search times and maximizing resource utilization plus synchronizing with accounting systems.

Learn more ways this cutting-edge drone technology can improve your warehouse and logistic business at ZenaDrone.com. To learn more about investing in the next generation of drone solutions, visit ZenaTech.com.

2024-12-11T09:07:00

(BPT) – When you pick up a bag of pet food from the store or click “add to cart” online, you deserve peace of mind knowing that the product you are buying is a safe and high-quality food.

At Purina, this commitment to safety and quality is at the heart of everything the company does. With millions of pets in the U.S. enjoying Purina products, the company is as committed to safety as it is devoted to pet health and the opportunity to enrich the lives of pets and the people who love them.

The science behind peace of mind

Purina is dedicated to ensuring that every pet food product meets its high standards of quality and safety. To support this mission, nearly 500 scientists, veterinarians and pet nutrition experts work to innovate and improve formulations, helping pets lead longer, healthier lives. But science is just one part of the equation. Manufacturing teams conduct 100,000 quality checks every day across its operations using a 7-step process to ensure that Purina’s stringent standards are met.

100,000 daily quality checks

Rather than relying solely on suppliers’ assurances, Purina goes the extra mile, conducting its own audits and sampling to verify quality directly from the source. By doing this, Purina helps to ensure that the company’s strict standards are upheld.

Manufacturing with precision

Every batch of pet food is carefully monitored to ensure that the correct proportions of ingredients are used, adhering to expert-developed recipes. Additionally, at multiple points throughout the production process, samples are taken and analyzed to ensure that pets receive complete and balanced meals that support their nutritional needs and life stage.

Made in the U.S.A. in Purina-owned factories

Factory team members help ensure that packages are filled correctly and labeled with a unique code that allows Purina to track everything back to its source. Because 99% of Purina’s products are crafted in the U.S. at one of its 23 factories, every aspect of the 7-step process can be watched closely. Direct oversight into every batch of pet food means Purina knows exactly when and where it was made and where it’s going.

Helping care for the planet

Purina is not only committed to pet health and safety but also to environmental sustainability. When sourcing ingredients and packaging materials, Purina is mindful of the environmental impact.

Purina does this by supporting farmers as they transition to regenerative agriculture practices to improve soil health and ultimately increase soil organic matter, which helps to sequester carbon.

Another way Purina cares for the environment is through their efforts to reduce water consumption in factories and continually assess process improvements throughout its business and manufacturing operations.

Through strategic partnerships, Purina has invested in wind and solar power to achieve 100% renewable electricity across all its facilities within North America.

Purina’s mission is built on providing high-quality, nutritious food for pets while being responsible stewards of the environment. Rigorous processes and unwavering commitment help ensure that pet owners can feel confident in their choice, knowing they’re providing the very best for their beloved companions.

2024-12-11T07:43:00

(BPT) – Winter weather brings with it numerous activities that inspire curiosity in adults and children alike. In fact, many snow day activities can even help with child development. As snowflakes begin to fall in several states across the country, parents can use this time as an opportunity to ignite their child’s curious mind and engage their imaginations.

“The winter season is a time when we see children’s curiosity soar, especially when snow is involved,” said Joy Turner, vice president of education at Kiddie Academy^® Educational Child Care. “Snow days are an excellent opportunity for children to engage in play that isn’t always available to them. Not only can parents encourage their child to experience and appreciate nature, but they can also take time to teach them about snowflakes, the different seasons, how snow is formed and more.”

Kiddie Academy encourages parents to make the most of their child’s next snow day. Here are a few activities to consider:

1. Take a nature walk. Observe and discuss the quiet that descends over newly fallen snow, look for animal tracks and try to identify what animal left them, or count the number of icicles hanging from roofs. Let your child’s curiosity guide your outdoor exploration.

2. Create winter bird feeders. Cover pinecones in nut or seed butter and roll them in birdseed. String the pinecones on pieces of yarn and then hang them on a tree outside near a window with a good view. Together with your child, watch as birds of many sizes and colors enjoy the treat, taking time to call out observations about each bird that stops by.

3. Make a heartwarming soup. Talk about the origins of the recipe and explain how all the flavors and ingredients mix to create a tasty meal. Let your child ask questions about the cooking process and encourage them to help with tasks like washing veggies, and measuring and combining ingredients.

4. Engage in pretend play. Act out different arctic animals like polar bears, penguins and seals. This is an opportunity to introduce different animals to your child and teach them about various habitats. Wherever this play goes, leave it unstructured and let your child’s imagination lead them.

5. Invent a snowflake matching game. Together with your child, clip symmetrical snowflakes out of paper and cut them in half. Explore how every snowflake is different, just like each person. Depending on the age and ability of your child, help them cut shapes out of paper that’s been folded into a triangle. When you unfold it, the snowflake will have a unique, symmetrical design. Cut each snowflake in half and then work with your child to match the snowflake pieces.

Snow days are an excellent way to encourage your child’s curiosity and make lasting memories. Next time you see snow in the weather forecast, take it as an opportunity to get creative with your little one.

2024-12-11T11:01:00

(BPT) – As the holidays approach, gift giving can be a thoughtful way to spread the holiday spirit and let a loved one know you are thinking of them. While there are many unique gift ideas, there is one type of gift giving that is often overlooked — the gift of learning.

Winter break is a great time for high school students to think about the future of their academic career and what they can do to get ahead of the curve. With a wide range of flexible options available to students today, the opportunities to support learners are endless. If you know a student that would benefit from the gift of knowledge, here are some unique ideas for this holiday season.

1. Help them excel in a language

High school students tend to spend a lot of time on their phones. Why not buy them an app that will help them learn a new language? You can choose from several language learning apps that let students learn at their own pace and reward them for their progress. Many of these apps offer various ways to learn such as structured lessons, fun games and immersive language videos.

2. Introduce them to Sophia courses

If your learner is interested in a self-paced option, consider purchasing them a subscription to Sophia to grant them access to 60+ courses that are designed to transfer to 70+ partner colleges. With Sophia, high school students can knock out college-level courses in a 100% online and flexible environment that allows them to jumpstart their postsecondary education.

3. Pay for a workshop in your student’s field of interest

Workshops can help students to learn about a specific field of interest before committing to a course/program. Workshops are typically short-term classes aimed at teaching practical skills and introducing attendees to new concepts that allow them to learn something new without taking up too much of their time.

4. Help pay for their AP exams

Designed to offer high school students the opportunity to earn college credits in a classroom setting, AP courses are a great option for enhancing a student’s learning. If your learner is planning to enroll in these courses, consider pitching in on the cost of their exams to ensure that they’re set to succeed.

5. Buy them a magazine/book service subscription

Is your learner interested in learning about a wide range of subjects? If so, gifting them a book/magazine subscription service may be the right gift this holiday season. In doing so, you’ll allow your learner to have access to a wide range of topics that expand their knowledge.

The holiday season is a time for giving, and gifting knowledge can play a key role in empowering students to learn new skills. With the options outlined above, you can help a learner in your life achieve their academic goals and get a head start on their education as we enter the new year.

Interested in giving the gift of knowledge this holiday season? Explore options with Sophia.

2024-12-11T10:35:00

(BPT) – By Mary Hines Droesch, Head of Consumer, Small Business & Wealth Management Banking and Lending Products at Bank of America

As a kid, there’s nothing quite like tearing open holiday gift boxes to find the latest gadgets, games and toys. But there’s another gift, less often discussed, that can benefit your child all the way into adulthood — financial literacy.

Bank of America found that only 47% of college students feel financially prepared for the real world. Why not take the opportunity to start preparing them at a young age by sharing financial lessons with your kids throughout the holiday season? After all, winter festivities present many teachable moments to help them become more financially savvy rather than getting caught up in the temptation to overspend.

Whether it’s budgeting for holiday gifts for loved ones, baking holiday cookies or taking time to give back to a local organization — this season provides plenty of opportunities to help your children develop the skills to manage money with confidence. Here are a few ways you can wrap up the gift of financial literacy for your kids this holiday season:

1. Incorporate financial lessons into holiday festivities. With all of the festive activities on your to-do list, there are many natural opportunities to start money conversations with your children. For example, consider giving your child a set budget to plan a holiday activity for the family — whether it’s decorating gingerbread houses or having a hot chocolate and movie night. By setting a spending limit, you encourage them to think through costs and make decisions, providing valuable experience in budgeting, planning and responsibility.
2. Prepare for cash gifts by opening a bank account. If your child opens an envelope to find a check or cash from relatives, it can be a wonderful opportunity to teach them how to manage those funds. Opening a bank account for your child provides a place for you to deposit the funds, to keep track of balances, and help them avoid the temptation to spend immediately. For example, SafeBalance Banking^® for Family Banking is a convenient, digital bank account that gives parents the tools and resources needed to help their children practice healthy financial habits and learn to responsibly manage their money. Parents also have access to Better Money Habits educational content to help facilitate conversations with their children about financial literacy. A bank account gives your child a sense of ownership and accountability over money, setting the foundation for future financial independence.
3. Give back to the community. Beyond putting gift money into a bank account, you can also encourage your child to allocate a portion of their funds toward a cause they care about. This can be a powerful lesson in budgeting and prioritizing, as well as the value of giving back. Involve your kid in the decision-making process so they’re empowered to be more compassionate and mindful with their finances. Alternatively, volunteering time as a family can also serve as a reminder that the holidays are just as much about giving as receiving!
4. Practice spending with their own debit card. If your child has already built a strong foundation of responsible financial habits — consider giving your child their first debit card so they can purchase gifts for their family members. Bank of America’s SafeBalance Banking^® for Family Banking not only offers an option to provide your child with a debit card, but also allows parents to easily monitor and set spending limits on the child’s card. Helping your child navigate their first debit card provides them with hands-on experience to manage money and practice responsible spending. They will also feel more excited having bought their family members’ presents on their own!

Although the gift of financial literacy might not seem as ‘shiny’ as a new gaming console or this season’s trendiest water bottle, finding teachable money moments with your kids this holiday season is a worthwhile investment in their future success and independence.

2024-12-11T09:49:00

(BPT) – The most wonderful time of the year is here, and with it comes the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Between juggling year-end deadlines and festive celebrations, many families are managing to-do lists as long as Santa’s. And if you’re in the habit of last-minute shopping, it’s easy to feel like you’re on the naughty list as you dash through the aisles.

If you’re looking for an easy, affordable way to put a bow on your shopping list, Walmart can take the hassle out of the holiday hustle. From simplifying stocking stuffers with this one-click stocking bundle to launching a new GenAI tool that delivers a highly personalized holiday shopping experience, Walmart can help you find the perfect gift — even for the hardest-to-shop-for person. Check out the gift inspiration below to wrap up the season stress-free and full of smiles.

Unwrap the fun with Walmart’s Top Toys List

If you’re looking for an easy way to shop for the kids in your life, look no further than Walmart’s annual Top Toy List. This year’s list features 66 of the season’s top trending toys, featuring fan favorites from beloved brands and franchises like Disney, LEGO, Hot Wheels and Barbie. This year’s list includes must-have Walmart exclusives like the Star Wars Force N Telling Vader Child Action Figure, Little Tikes Creative Chefs Kits, LEGO Speed Champions Aston Martin Set and more.

The best part? In the spirit of Every Day Low Prices, Walmart is making it easy to shop the season’s hottest toys at unbeatable prices, with 25 of the toys on this year’s list available for under $25.

Gifts wired for success

When you’re down to the wire, tech gifts can be easily plugged into any holiday shopping list. Whether you’re shopping for a gadget lover or gaming enthusiast, Walmart’s private brand onn. offers a variety of different affordable essentials. The onn. Google TV Full HD Streaming Device brings your favorite movies, shows and streaming services right to your living room screen, while the onn. 11″ Tablet Pro offers powerful performance on the go. Gamers will love this vibrant onn. Gaming Keyboard and onn. Gaming Mouse, designed to elevate any gaming setup.

Show-stopping holiday looks

Looking to add a little glam to your holiday shopping list? Walmart has a variety of stylish gifts that won’t break the bank. From rhinestone ballet flats to metallic cargo pants from No Boundaries — all for under $25 — you’ll find fabulous fits for the fashionista on your list. You can also never go wrong with the timeless collections from Free Assembly and Scoop. Walmart also has trending beauty items like the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask and festive Grinch Eyeshadow palette for less than $20. Plus, don’t miss the luxury-inspired beauty picks from Pretty Smart for under $20.

If you’re dashing for last-minute deals, Walmart has you covered all season long with flexible and convenient shipping, delivery and pickup options to help you sleigh your shopping list.

• Order by 12:30 p.m. local time on December 23 for delivery on December 25
  • This year, customers now have two more days to shop for gifts for delivery with extended cutoffs for next day and two-day shipping.
• Express Delivery is available until 6 p.m. local time on December 24
  • Walmart’s Express Delivery brings orders to doorsteps in as soon as 30 minutes.
  • And don’t forget this ultimate holiday lifesaver: if you’re a paid Walmart+ member, you’re eligible for one free Express Delivery through December 31.
• Order by 12 p.m. (noon) local time on December 24 for in-store same-day pickup and delivery
  • For last-minute gifts and grocery runs, customers can swing by more than 4,000 stores for easy in-store or curbside pickup. They can also choose to have items delivered to their homes with expanded delivery timeslots as early as 6 a.m. and as late as midnight.

For more gift inspiration for everyone on your list, visit walmart.com.

2024-12-10T10:05:00

(BPT) – In 1987, President Ronald Reagan boldly stood before one of the iconic symbols of the Cold War and, in words that shape his legacy, demanded from the Soviet leader, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

Two years later the Berlin Wall came down. Then, in 1991, the Cold War ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Lasting nearly a half-century, the war profoundly changed and, perhaps, saved the world.

During that time, the United States and Russia engaged in a global contest over different ways of life; threatened and deterred each other with vast arsenals of nuclear weapons; tested one another’s resolve in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis; raced to become the first country to put a human in space; and sought allies and influence throughout the world.

A key component of the U.S. military strategy during the Cold War was the Blytheville Air Force Base in northeastern Arkansas. It closed in 1992, but throughout the post-World War II conflict, the base — and especially its alert center — formed a vital part of the U.S. Strategic Air Command, which controlled most of the U.S. nuclear weapons and the aircraft and missiles that delivered those weapons.

Today, this former Arkansas Air Force base is being transformed into the home of the National Cold War Center (NCWC), a museum and historic site dedicated to honoring Cold War veterans, preserving history, and advancing understanding and debate about the world’s most protracted and expensive war and its legacies for today.

To elevate its mission on a national and international level, the NCWC has partnered with the distinguished Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (Wilson Center) in Washington, D.C. Chartered by Congress as a public-private partnership and affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, the Wilson Center is a premier research institute on Cold War history and its vast network of relationships and resources in the international policy research community will support and strengthen the NCWC’s goal to become America’s official museum of the Cold War.

The partnership is poised to enhance the NCWC’s unique mission “to comprehensively tell the story of the Cold War, informed by the experiences of those who fought, lived, and survived the conflict that has had such profound consequences for today’s world.”

Dr. Christian Ostermann, an award-winning historian and the longtime director of History and Public Policy at the Wilson Center, will direct the historic collaboration. A world-renowned scholar of the Cold War, he brings decades of experience and a strong vision for the future National Museum of the Cold War. Working with Blytheville community leaders, the NCWC’s National Advisory Board, and federal, state, and private-sector partners, Ostermann aims to help the NCWC turn its historic Ready Alert Facility into a state-of-the-art educational site that draws visitors from across the globe to learn about the Cold War.

“Understanding the history of the Cold War is critical to making sense of our world today,” Dr. Ostermann said. “The ideological and geopolitical rivalry between capitalism and communism defined global politics for nearly half a century, leading to a nuclear arms race, regional and proxy wars, as well as cultural, economic, and technological transformations that hold profound lessons still vital in the 21st century.”

Mary Gay Shipley, chairman of the National Cold War Center board of directors, has been at the forefront of its development efforts since they launched in late 2016.

“This partnership with the world-renowned Wilson Center gives our efforts even more credibility. We had a tremendous gain when the 118th U.S. Congress established the National Cold War Center as America’s federal museum of the Cold War, and this is another huge step forward,” Shipley said. “We look forward to welcoming thousands of people to our community annually to learn more about this important time in world history.”

While the grand opening of the NCWC is slated for 2027, the NCWC currently provides visitors the opportunity to experience the history of the Blytheville Air Force Base (BAFB) and its role in the Cold War via its BAFB Exhibition, which opened in November 2020. Once fully open, the Center expects to welcome more than 50,000 visitors in its first year, fueling education and providing a boon to the tourism economy of the Arkansas Delta.

As the NCWC expands its role to the global stage through its new partnership with the Wilson Center, the Center looks to develop an unparalleled experience providing visitors a window into a conflict that echoes throughout modern society and remains deeply relevant to geopolitics in 2024.

To learn more, visit the NCWC website at https://nationalcoldwarcenter.com/.

2024-12-10T09:01:00

(BPT) – Chilly temperatures and winter weather aren’t the only burden that comes with this time of year — it’s also the peak of cold and flu season. Cold and flu germs can lurk on hundreds of common surfaces we encounter daily, and according to the CDC, the flu virus can live and potentially infect a person for up to 48 hours after being deposited on a surface.

“Respiratory illnesses like common colds and the flu can stop families in their tracks, leading to sick days and missed school or work,” said Dr. Mona Amin, Board Certified Pediatrician, IBCLC and Clorox spokesperson. “A holistic germ prevention strategy is one of the most effective ways to help stop the spread of illness-causing germs.”

Here are a few simple steps:

Disinfect high-touch and high-traffic surfaces

You likely come into contact with certain high-touch and high-traffic areas in your home multiple times daily that can harbor germs. Think of countertops, doorknobs, light switches and toilet handles, for example. Disinfect these areas regularly with a disinfectant like Clorox^® Disinfecting Wipes to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses when used as directed on hard, non-porous surfaces. With any disinfecting product, make sure you follow the product label instructions to ensure you’re using it correctly and effectively.

Establish a “drop zone”

Along with high-touch surfaces, germs can be brought home from work and school on items like lunchboxes, reusable water bottles and work bags traveling back and forth. To help mitigate bringing germs home, establish a “drop zone” or a designated place to leave shoes, backpacks and other outside items so that germs don’t get tracked through the house.

Practice good hand hygiene

Washing your hands is a simple and effective way to help stay healthy. Make sure to wash your hands often, especially when you are likely to get and spread germs after being in a public place, before or after preparing or eating food, going to the bathroom or coughing and sneezing into your hands. To make sure you’re washing your hands thoroughly, lather your hands including your fingers and under your nails with soap and scrub with warm water for at least 20 seconds — or the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.

Take care of your holistic health

Maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated and exercising regularly all contribute to your overall immune system. Prioritizing sleep is also an important part of maintaining your immune system, especially when you feel under the weather, because it helps the immune system to repair and rest.

Reset after someone in your household is sick

If you or someone in your household is sick, stay home from work or school to help reduce the chance of others getting sick and prioritize rest and fluids to recuperate. “When someone in your household gets sick, it can feel inevitable that your home will get caught in a ‘sick cycle’ or a seemingly never-ending loop of getting one another sick,” Dr. Amin said. “As a parent with a sick kid, try your best to get a good night’s sleep as much as you’re able, wash your hands after providing care and disinfect communal surfaces that can harbor germs.”

Once your household has recovered, reset your home. Disinfect hot spots in shared spaces and in the infected individual’s room such as doorknobs, light switches and faucet handles. Wash dirty clothing and linens, and to sanitize — or reduce bacteria in laundry — you can add bleach to your wash load of bleach-safe clothing, towels and linens. You can also sanitize dishes after washing them with a bleach and water solution.

Follow CDC guidance

Lastly, the CDC provides up-to-date guidance on vaccines like the flu shot, prevention tactics and different virus trends in your area. Check the CDC’s website to stay up to date on the latest information and guidance.

Maintaining a holistic strategy can help you and your household navigate cold and flu season with ease. To find more tips and product recommendations like these, visit Clorox.com.