Backpacks are packed, kids are back in school, and routines are finally starting to settle. But you know what else comes home once school’s back in session?

GERMS.

If you’re a parent, you already know: as soon as the first bell rings, it feels like kids start bringing home every bug, sniffle, and stomach bug making the rounds. You barely wash the last set of sheets from one cold before — BOOM — another child is down. And just when you think you’re in the clear… someone else starts sneezing.

Why Germs Spread So Fast After School Starts

• Close quarters. Classrooms, buses, after-school care = kids sharing everything (whether they mean to or not).

• Immune system shake-up. After summer’s fresh air, suddenly kids are indoors breathing the same recycled air all day.

• Home environment. If your HVAC filters and ducts are dirty, you might be giving germs a second life right inside your house.  

How to Fight Germs at Home (Tips & Tricks That Actually Help)

Here’s what we recommend to help your home stay healthier this school season:

1. Fresh Filters = Cleaner Air

Swap out your HVAC filter regularly (every 30–60 days). Fresh filters trap dust, pollen, and bacteria before they recirculate.

2. Duct Cleaning = Germ Reset

If it’s been a while since your ducts were cleaned, consider scheduling it. Dust, bacteria, and even mold can build up — and once the air kicks on, it’s circulating everywhere.

3. Air Purifiers & UV Lights

These are like the “secret weapons.” Air purifiers and UV lights installed in your system can help reduce bacteria, viruses, and allergens before they ever hit your living room.

4. Keep Surfaces in Check

Don’t forget the little things:
✔️ Wipe down lunchboxes, backpacks, and doorknobs daily
✔️ Keep sanitizer handy near the entryway
✔️ Remind kids (and ourselves ) to wash hands as soon as they walk in the door

5. Stable Temps = Stronger Bodies

Avoid huge swings in your home’s temperature. Consistency helps your kids’ bodies regulate better and keeps colds from feeling worse.

The Extra Layer for Special Needs Families

And here’s the part I have to say, from my heart: if you’re a special needs parent like me, you already know how much harder germs hit our families.

When our littles bring sickness home, it’s not just them who are down — it’s the ripple effect. Schedules fall apart, sleep suffers, therapies get missed, and, let’s be honest, we parents usually catch it too. And when we’re out, the whole house feels it.

That’s why clean air, healthy routines, and a little extra prevention matter so much. Because for families like ours, it’s not just about fewer sick days — it’s about protecting stability, comfort, and peace at home.

✨ Final Word

Back-to-school should be about new beginnings, not endless boxes of tissues. With cleaner air, better filters, and a few simple routines, your home can be the safe zone that keeps germs from spreading further than they need to.

Because at The Repair Tech, we don’t just care about keeping your systems running — we care about keeping your family healthy, safe, and supported.

—
Andreina Leal-Carrillo
CEO • Mom • Special Needs Advocate • Leader
The Repair Tech Inc.