You find yourself with a cold, sore throat or worse yet, you have
contacted E-coli. When asked, "How did you get that?" what do you say?
contacted E-coli. When asked, "How did you get that?" what do you say?
There are four major types of GERMS: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
AND, they are EVERYWHERE!
1. Cell Phones: Our cell phones go everywhere, in our purses, pockets, holders, on tables and counters, and touch most everything in our environment. Our hands may not always be germ free; mouths, coughs and sneezes emit germs as well as when we allow someone else to use our phone. How often do you clean your phone? By keeping this in mind, make a habit of wiping down your phone with a germ killing cleansing cloth daily. Don’t be so eager to lone your phone to anyone and be choosy where you lay your phone. Clean your phone holder, too.
2. Remotes: This seems to be an item we all have and use regularly. Not only at home, but in hotels, hospitals, retirement homes, and dentist offices, to name a few. These are rarely left unused but rarely at the top of the item cleaning list. When you stop to think about it – where HAS that remote been last? Another job for the disinfectant wipes!!
3. Restaurant Menus: Every restaurant has them, and every restaurant lays them on the table, or even on your plate and utensils if they are set. RARELY are menus cleaned! They are handled, spilt on, dropped on the floor and FULL of germs! After you order, go wash your hands and while in the bathroom, use a paper towel to touch the door handle after you wash!
4. Lemon Wedges: Restaurants often serve these with drinks. There are over 25 different microorganisms (including E coli) that linger on these!! Forgo the lemon wedge to be cautious.
5. Shopping Carts: We have all heard about this one. Not only are they only cleaned when we choose to wipe it down before we use it, they can harbor things like juices from chicken or beef that have dripped from the containers. Children sit in the seats after perhaps being in sandboxes, just changed on a public restroom pad, or sitting on the floor! Swab the handle and seat well with the wipes provided in most stores now.
6. Elevator Buttons, ATM and Touch Screens: These are not cleaned often and used repetitively! The same with pens we are offered to use when our signature is needed.
7. Vacuum Cleaners: Ever think the vacuum can spread germs through the house? The contaminates on the surfaces attach to the vacuum brushes and transfer from room to room. Spray the brush with a disinfectant after every use - traces of bacteria can survive as long as 5 days inside the vacuum after you empty the dirt. And disposable-bag vacuums promote more bacterial growth. The bag-less vaccums are suggested.
8. Bed Linens: Dust mites are an allergen and cause asthma as well. They live and thrive on our bed linens by eating the dead skin we shed. They need moisture to live, and by making our beds, we seal in the moisture they thrive on! Let your bed air out before making it. Use a dehumidifier if your home is very humid.
9. Airplane travel: We’ve heard it said that there is ‘stale air’ in the airplane cabins which causes colds and sicknesses. The airline attendants are in contact with the passengers – handling beverages, blankets, pillows, and foods. The bathrooms in the airplanes harbor germs as they are used by everyone and not cleaned often enough. Wash your hands and use a towel to touch the bathroom door on the way out. Hand sanitizers come in hand in these close quarters.
10. Computer keyboard and mouse: As different users share a keyboard and mouse, germs become prevalent. Cleaning these surfaces daily is a proactive way to keep germs and bacteria at bay.
11. Purses, light switches, toilet flushing handles: OH BOY – the list goes on and on! Purses are placed floors in restaurants, in public bathrooms, and in cars and then placed on home counter tops, tables and chairs ... spreading germs! Light switches and those handles… how often are they cleaned?
12. Reusable grocery bags: Items placed in these bags may have leaked - juices from meat packages, fruits and vegetables, etc. These bags are often stored in cars that are hot from the summer heat, allowing bacteria to grow! Wash the bags in hot water and soap, air dry. This will allow them to be used again within safe measures.
13. Shopping for hats, bathing suits, clothes, shoes: This sounds like an unassuming routine. However, hats can harbor lice from a previous shopper that tried them on, transferring them to you. Bathing suits can also harbor unwanted microorganisms from previous shoppers who have tried them on... very unwanted microorganisms! Wash ALL clothing before putting them in with your clothes and before wearing them. One never knows "where they have been" before we handle them; be it in their making process, transportation or handling when at the store. Concerning shoes: there is a reason many shoe stores supply nylons for trying on shoes. Always use them or your own footwear when in the store. Once you purchase the shoes, it is recommended to spray them with a disinfectant before wearing them.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!" ~ Ben Franklin
Be alert, be advised and be safe; we can help our environment and ourselves with some measures of precaution!
Note from this author: ...And if this makes you want to live in a bubble…floating away you'll find me at my new address: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”! ~ Mary Blair
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