The Winter Illness Toolbox Every Parent Needs

First published February 2014
Updated February 2026

As winter drags on, parents are busy trying to keep the whole family healthy. A little advance preparation of an illness “toolbox” can help families get through the onset of symptoms with a little less stress and a lot less tears from your little ones.

Start with Prevention

The most important prevention of any winter illness is handwashing. Clean hands reduce the spread of infection. You can do this by always having hand sanitizer (containing 60-95% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol) or disinfectant soap available—at home, in the car, and in diaper bags. Make handwashing fun by finding your child’s favorite scents and colors. Sing fun songs during hand washing to keep it going for at least 20 seconds.

Disinfectant wipes reduce the amount of germs on surfaces like countertops, changing tables, and toilets and slow the spread of illness. Disinfecting goes above and beyond normal cleaning. Look for EPA-approved products, as these products not only physically remove the germs and dirt, but also kill viruses and bacteria. It is important to follow the product label’s instructions to ensure that the disinfectant remains on the surface long enough to be effective. If one of these products is not readily available, a homemade solution of one tablespoon of household bleach mixed with one quart of water is highly effective. Apply to surfaces with a cloth and let stand 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing the surface with clean water.

Avoid smoking around children. If you do smoke, go outside and always change all clothing afterwards and wash your hands to minimize smoke exposure.

Stay up to date on your yearly influenza “flu” vaccine. This is the best way to prevent the flu or to keep you and your child from getting a bad case of it. Anyone over the age of 6 months is eligible to receive the flu vaccine.

The Illness Toolbox

Gathering the following list of products and keeping them in an easy-to-access place at home can be a relief when that first sneeze is heard.

For nose care: 

• Soft tissues – Help to minimize irritation and pain.
• Saline spray, drops or mist –Keep nasal passages moist and reduces “stuffiness.” It also helps “wash” the virus or bacteria out of the nose.
• Bulb suction/human nasal aspirator – Keeps the nasal passages clear in children who don’t yet blow their nose effectively. Infants breathe through their nose, and stuffy noses can make breathing, sucking and eating more difficult.
• Petroleum jelly product – A thin, constant layer of petroleum jelly protects and heals irritated or chapped skin. A small dab on the inside of the nose helps improve irritation and stops bloody noses before they start by keeping the nose moisturized.
• Vaporizer/humidifier (cool mist to avoid burns) - Keeps the airway passages moist and the mucous thinner and easier to pass.

For pain and fever care:

• Thermometer – Monitors your child’s temperature. A fever is a temperature over 100.4 ^oF (38 ^oC).
• Acetaminophen and ibuprofen – These over-the-counter medicines reduce fever and help your child feel more comfortable. Utilize a dosing chart by weight or a doctor’s recommendation for proper dosing amounts and time frames to re-administer the medications. Ibuprofen should be used only over the age of six months. If your child is under 12 weeks, a doctor should see them for any fever. Never use aspirin products for children or for teenagers as it has been linked to a rare, but deadly illness called Reye’s syndrome.
• Syringes or medicine spoons – Make administering medicine to young children easier.

For comfort and hydration:

• Popsicles and cool drinks – Promote staying hydrated.
• Throat lozenges/cough drops – Soothe pain and irritation and help make the illness more tolerable for children 6 years and older.
• Honey – Soothes throat irritation and reduces cough. Give a spoonful (5mL) as needed to children over the age of 12 months (1 year old). Never give honey under 1 year of age as it can cause a sickness called botulism.

For further action:

• Your physician’s number and after-hours instructions.
• The closest urgent care or care facility along with their phone number and hours.
• Your pharmacy name, phone number and hours
• Home plan for your child – Know what adjustments you need to make if your child needs to stay home from daycare or school. Children should be kept home until they have been fever-free for 24 hours or feel well enough to return to their normal activities. Even if they don’t have a fever, they may need time to rest and recover at home.

If your household ends up sick, try to enjoy your time home together! Take this time to read, watch a favorite movie, cuddle and spend quality time together. Rest is important to recharge the immune system. And remember, always talk to your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns about your child’s cough and cold symptoms.