(ARA) - You scheduled flu shots for the entire family and stocked the cabinets with plenty of vitamin C and chicken soup. But what have you done to ensure the health of your actual home this winter?

You may not realize it, but allergens and toxins camp out in your house during the colder months, just waiting for a chance to give you and your family a case of the sniffles or the flu. Hannah Keeley, host of public television's "Hannah, Help Me!" offers a few simple tips to guarantee a healthier home.

Schedule a home check-up

You can't take your house to the doctor, but you can still give it a check-up. Schedule a home assessment with your local American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning dealer before winter strikes to make sure your furnace's components are clean and working properly.

As an added precaution from unpleasant germs, ask about the American Standard AccuClean(TM) whole home air filtration system, which is proven to remove more than 99 percent of the common flu or influenza A along with influenza B, C, and avian and H1N1 flu from your home's filtered air.

Clean up your home's act

Thorough hand washing is key to preventing the flu, but it is equally important to maintain good home hygiene in order to combat the spread of germs. To prevent the spread of the flu virus, it is important to sanitize everything you and your family touch - from your counters and tables to appliances to your children's toys.

Wash your family's clothing, bedding and other linens in hot water (at least 130 degrees) to keep dust mites and other germs away. While you're at it, be sure to transport dirty laundry in a basket or bag to help keep germs away from your body.

Practice good home health habits

Make it a house rule to remove your shoes as soon as you walk into the house, and prevented unwanted outside dirt particles from being tracked into difficult-to-remove carpets and other surfaces. Give family members and guests a comfy alternative by keeping cozy slippers near the front door.

Pick up some allergy-proof covers for your mattresses and pillows. These easy-to-find and use covers are a quick and immediate solution to keep germs and contaminants to a minimum.

Make sure your home is well insulated to minimize heat loss. Inspect all windows and doors for tight seals and seal air leaks to reduce drafts. Sealing air leaks and adding insulation will improve the comfort level and health of your home.

Taking a few easy, preventive measures now will ensure a warm, comfortable, and - most important - healthier home during the winter months. So when that old north wind begins to blow and Jack Frost is paying you a visit, you can rest easy knowing your home and family are happy and healthy.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Caption 1: Call your local HVAC professional to perform a routine maintenance check.

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