'Sniffle Buddies' May Help Stop Spread Of Germs

LOS ANGELES - If necessity is the mother of invention, these mothers could sniff their ideas out from under their children's noses, or off their hands and sleeves.

The problem: How could best friends get their children to stop wiping their running noses on themselves?

But an old, ratty wristband wouldn't cut it, and yes, they know what you're thinking, they've tried it all.

"You can tell them to use a tissue, but they won't use it."

"I guarantee you the kids are not going to go grab a tissue, stop playing and then get back in line for the slide. They don't have the attention span for that."

And so the idea of "Sniffle Buddies" was born – a wristband to wipe the sniffles into. Two years of work, and finally, the finished product made from organic cotton and bamboo. A Velcro closure to give the perfect fit. Then, when playtime is over, wash on high temperature.

"The purpose is to contain the germs right on their wrist and the other thing is teaching them proper hygiene as they go so they know it doesn't belong on their hands. It belongs here, so it's a process they'll be going through to learn."

The idea: Use the "Sniffle Buddy" to help teach kids where something shouldn't go and give them a place to put it. Eventually, they'll want this gone, and reach for this. We sniffed out the concept with a few local moms and dads.

I think the nose knows where this idea is going. The moms already have orders for "Sniffle Buddies" across the country, and it all goes back to necessity – the mother of invention.

"The best part is we're not wasting energy chasing around our kids with Kleenex."

For more information, visit Sniffle Buddies.