1)Try to wash your hands. Clean your hands thoroughly and often. 2)Scrub your stuff. Keep kitchen and bathroom countertops clean, especially when someone in your family has a common cold. 3)Use tissues. Always sneeze and cough into tissues. Discard used tissues right away, and then wash your hands carefully. 4)Don't share. Don't share drinking glasses or utensils with other family members. Use your own glass or disposable cups when you or someone else is sick. 5)Take a vitamin C tablet which may shorten the duration of cold symptoms. Hope that helps