Fight Germs in Unsuspecting Places

We’re approaching cold and flu season and germs will be on the rise. You can’t avoid them, because they’re everywhere, but you can avoid spreading them if you can figure out where they love to congregate. We know about door handles, faucets and bathrooms, but here are some of the places we might not think about.

Buffet Serving Spoons/Tongs

We’re cognizant of the shield that keeps us from breathing or spitting on food at a buffet, but what about the hundreds of people who have touched the spoons and tongs? Before you reach for your own utensils back at the table, reach for some anti-bacterial hand gel or disinfecting wet wipes to clean your hands.

Grocery Carts and Credit Card Machines

There’s a reason most grocery stores have disinfecting wipes at the entrance. They know how many people handle grocery carts on a regular basis. Any one of those people could have sneezed or coughed or even touched raw meat while the cart was in their possession. Use those wipes to clean the cart handles and seat carefully. After swiping your card and touching the keyboard at the check out (or touching the screen at a self checkout), wash your hands with soap or anti-bacterial hand gel.

Airplane Seat Backs

Do you ever touch the seats as you make your way down the aisle to your own seat? So does everyone else. Try not to touch the seats. If you do, wash your hands with warm soapy water or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. You might also try to wipe your own seat before you sit down.

Your Computer

Every time you touch something, you’re picking up new germs. Those germs are easily transferred to your keyboard and can even be transferred to your monitor if someone coughs or sneezes around you, and then you cough or sneeze on your monitor. Disinfect your workspace with disinfecting wipes or alcohol-based wipes made for electronics.

Cell Phones and Remote Controls

Cell phones come in contact with everything, everywhere you go. Remote controls are handled by everyone in your house, and in some cases, people in your office building or school. Wipe them down at least once a day with something alcohol-based that is safe for electronics.

Your Washing Machine

Washing your clothes is supposed to get rid of germs and bacteria, right? Only if you wash them in warm enough water. The truth is that washing machines are breeding grounds for bacteria. Wash everything in water that is hotter than 60 degrees Fahrenheit and dry them immediately. Leaving damp clothes in the washing machine can cause germ build-up on your clothes. Bleach also kills germs.

The best way to protect yourself from germs is to wash your hands often with warm soap and water and supplement washings with anti-bacterial hand gel. Also, be more aware of the things you touch and clean them with something that contains bleach or alcohol whenever possible. Finally, if you do get sick, stay home where your germs are contained. That helps cold and flu season end faster.