--- title: Beat the Flu - 5 Ways To Keep Your Home Germ Free description: While you're taking precautions to keep your family free from the flu this winter, also make sure your Florida homeowners insurance is healthy. image: https://blog.southernoak.com/hubfs/W-SOI-Blog-4-Beat-the-Flu.jpg --- [![Florida Homeowners Insurance - Southern Oak Insurance](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1316105448-png/layout/logo.png)](http://southernoakins.com) [![](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1316105483-png/layout/btn_agent_login.png)](https://soi.policyport.com/wps/portal/soiagent/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3hnd0cPE3MfAwODQBMjAyM3Z29njwBfIwMLU_2CbEdFAMOiBOg!/) [![](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1316105478-png/layout/btn_become_agent.png)](http://info.southernoakins.com/florida-homeowners-insurance-agency-appointment-request) [![Facebook](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1321650047-png/layout/btn_facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/SouthernOakIns) [![Twitter](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1321630027-png/layout/btn_twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/SouthernOakIns) [![LinkedIn](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1321410970-png/layout/btn_linkedin.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-oak-insurance-co) [![Demotech](http://southernoakins.com/wp-content/themes/SouthernInsurance/images/logo_demotech_header.png)](http://www.demotech.com/search_results_fsr.aspx?id=12247&t=2) Call us Today at 877.900.3971 - [Home](http://southernoak.com/) - [About](http://southernoak.com/about-us/) - [Meet the Team](http://southernoak.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Safety Tips](http://southernoak.com/about-us/safety-tips/) - [Policyholder Blog](http://southernoak.com/policyholder-blog/) - [Community](http://southernoak.com/community/) - [Agent Blog](https://blog.southernoak.com) - [Family Emergency Plan](https://info.southernoak.com/free-family-emergency-plan) - [Home Inventory Checklist](https://info.southernoak.com/free-home-inventory-checklist) - [Watch Our Commercial](https://info.southernoak.com/florida_homeowners_insurance_commercial) - [Why Southern Oak?](http://southernoak.com/why-southern-oak/) - [Why More Families Choose Southern Oak](http://southernoak.com/why-more-families-choose-southern-oak/) - [Why More Agents Choose Southern Oak](http://southernoak.com/why-more-agents-choose-southern-oak/) - [Policy Types](http://southernoak.com/policy-types/) - [Homeowner’s Insurance](http://southernoak.com/policy-types/homeowners-insurance/) - [Renter’s Insurance](http://southernoak.com/policy-types/renters-insurance/) - [Rental Dwelling Property Insurance](http://southernoak.com/policy-types/rental-dwelling-property-insurance/) - [Condo Unit Owners Insurance](http://southernoak.com/policy-types/condo-owners-insurance/) - [Policy Add-Ons](http://southernoak.com/policy-types/policy-add-ons/) - [Contact](http://southernoak.com/contact-us/) - [Southern Oak Marketing](http://southernoakmarketing.com/) ![img_main_blog.jpg](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1322220752-jpg/layout/img_main_blog.jpg?width=694&name=img_main_blog.jpg "img_main_blog.jpg") # [Beat the Flu - 5 Ways To Keep Your Home Germ Free](https://blog.southernoak.com/beat-the-flu-5-ways-to-keep-your-home-germ-free) Jan 22, 2016 2:52:50 PM | Posted by [The Southern Oak Team](https://blog.southernoak.com/author/the-southern-oak-team) | Category: [Home Maintenance Tips](https://blog.southernoak.com/topic/home-maintenance-tips) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Winter is here and it’s time for the flu to rear its ugly head. Protecting your home and keeping everyone safe is a high priority. Although many people get under the weather during this time of year, there are a few precautions you can take to keep the germs away. ![W-SOI-Blog-4-Beat-the-Flu.jpg](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/hubfs/W-SOI-Blog-4-Beat-the-Flu.jpg?width=400&height=200&name=W-SOI-Blog-4-Beat-the-Flu.jpg "W-SOI-Blog-4-Beat-the-Flu.jpg") - Wiping down surface areas Germs accumulate everywhere, and you never know when you have been exposed to someone who is already sick. Wiping down surface areas in your home with a disinfectant can work wonders. - Spray door knobs Door knobs are notorious for spreading germs quickly throughout the home. Spraying the door knobs with cleaners and disinfectant everyday can make a significant difference in the home. - Washing hands Wash, wash and wash again. Frequent hand washing helps prevent the spread of germs and keeps the body healthy. If you have children in the home, teaching them to wash their hands will not only stop the spread of germs, but can be fun, too! - Get rid of old sponges If you clean or wash dishes with a sponge, chances are those sponges are carrying quite a few germs. Keep a practice of frequently switching sponges, or throwing them in the microwave to disinfect. - Sanitize your dishes Washing dishes in extremely hot water can alleviate the transfer of germs that may be present on glasses and silverware. Taking every precaution to keep germs away is key.  [For more food safety tips, read this blog.](http://blog.southernoakins.com/holiday-food-safety-2015)   While you're making sure your family is healthy, make sure your homeowners insurance policy is healthy too.  Often buried in your [escrow statement](http://blog.southernoakins.com/florida-homeowners-insurance-understanding-your-escrow-statement), many homeowners never stop and ask, "how much is homeowners insurance?"  A simple call to your agent can answer this question and give you the opportunity to make sure you're getting all of the Florida homeowners insurance your family needs and that you're getting it at the best premium.  You can also get a free quote here:  [![Get a Homeowners Insurance Quote Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/356017/5ba6288e-e384-45c4-bf9b-8b43e5807a22.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/356017/5ba6288e-e384-45c4-bf9b-8b43e5807a22) [![](https://blog.southernoak.com/hs-fs/file-1317411786-png/layout/btn_find_agent.png)](http://southernoakins.com/find-an-agent/) Get a quote **fast** using our **simple** online form. 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