Winter Safety Tips

What's the single best way to prevent illness? Hand washing! Sounds simple, but try getting kids to do it. This fun get-clean gear just might help:

1. The Microbe Liquid Soap Dispenser, in the shape of the common cold virus, can serve as a mini-science lesson when you hit the sink. ($10; thinkgeek.com) A plush toy germ is available, too. ($9; thinkgeek.com) 

2. Pressing this SquidSoap pump marks a circle on the palm that takes 15 to 20 seconds to wash off—the time docs recommend for a good scrub. ($4; Bed Bath & Beyond stores) 

3. Keep the little ones safe with The Germinator from BabyGanics, a sanitizer that doesn't contain any alcohol or fragrances. ($7; babyganics.com) 

4. SoapTime's elephant, ABC, and earth-themed soap dispensers display a fun sound and light show that lasts 20 seconds. ($17 for all three; mysoaptime.com)

Plus: 10 Genius Mom-Tested Hand-washing Tricks