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The winter season is right around the corner, and with that also comes flu season. Even if you've gotten your flu shot, it's still recommended to take the extra steps to avoid catching the flu at all costs. Being sick during the holidays and beyond that is really no joke. However, there are key ways to avoiding the flu and making sure it stays out of your home for good. Besides just washing your hands thoroughly and keeping your hands away from your mouth, there's a lot more you could do to be proactive about being healthy this year. Here are 13 ways you can keep the flu out of your home! 1. Identify your symptoms The Star Unfortunately, it's hard to catch the flu before it really takes over. The symptoms start suddenly and they often consist of fever or chills, a cough, a sore through, a stuffy or a runny nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, and more. Keep in mind that not all people who experience the flu have a fever. 2. Ladies: don't put your purse on the floor Superstitions Putting your bags or purses on a dirty, public floor is the best way to pick up some nasty germs, or worse. If you do, you should consider using a soft cloth of sorts to wipe away the grime you've picked up. 3. Wash your thumbs, specifically Las Cruces Sun-News Your thumbs pick up the most germs throughout the day as we use them for the most activities. Whether it's texting on our cell phones or changing the channel on the remote, our thumbs come in contact with the most grime. 4. Disinfect handles The American Cleaning Institute It's good to get into the habit of not only cleaning door knobs but also cleaning handles on anything else in your house. This means handles on your cabinets, dishwasher, or fridge. Better to be safe than sorry! 5. Keep toothbrushes separate The Home Depot It's best to keep toothbrushes separated from each other. Having toothbrushes too close increases the chance of spreading the flu in addition to other nasty viruses like strep or E. coli. 6. Don't eat lunch at your desk Mindful Return According to reports, your work desk is 100 times dirtier than a public toilet seat. It's best to disinfect your desk before eating there or you risk the spreading of potential viruses or other harmful bacteria. Read up on more ways to be flu-free this year on the NEXT page... 7. Leave shoes at the door TripAdvisor Some households already implement the rule of 'no shoes' and having them left behind at the door. However, this is also another great way to reduce the risk of spreading germs. Who knows what your shoes have picked up on the way there? 8. Eat yogurt Honey, What's Cooking Researchers believe that yogurt has flu-fighting probiotics in them. In the same study, they found that the probiotics in yogurt could help stave off upper respiratory tract infections. Add some blueberries to your yogurt for extra strength to your immune system! 9. Keep phones out of the bathroom Kim Komando Want to know something gross? Probably not, but we're going to tell you anyway. 16% of cell phones are contaminated with germs or even fecal matter by being brought into the bathroom, according to this study. As tempting as it might be to scroll your social media feed or play games while you're doing your business, it's best to leave your phone out of it! 10. Get your flu shot TripSavvy This one is a no-brainer. However, Amy Crawford-Faucher, MD, does say that flu shots aren't 100% effective, so it's best to utilize all of the other flu-fighting tips provided here. 11. Change your bed sheets Telegraph This is a big one. A study shows that you should be changing your bed sheets weekly, or at least every other week. Sleeping in unchanged, dirty bed sheets increase the risk of harmful bacteria and even dust mites. Ew! 12. Keep an eye on your furry friends PetMD Did you know that there is actually such a thing as the dog flu? It's, unfortunately, spreading like wildfire across America, and you should definitely keep an eye on your pup for any abnormal behavior. Are you ready to combat the flu this year? Be sure to SHARE this article to spread these tips around to others.