15 Cleaning and Disinfecting Tips
Keeping your home or office safe during flu season (roughly defined as December through February) involves implementing proper cleaning and disinfecting practices to reduce the risk of illness transmission. In addition to getting flu vaccinations and practicing good personal hygiene, here are some tips on how to keep your home safe during flu season:
- Frequent Handwashing: Encourage all members of your household to wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Provide hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content for convenient use.
- Clean High-Touch Surfaces: Focus your cleaning efforts on high-touch surfaces that are more likely to harbor germs, such as doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, countertops, faucets, and handles. Use an EPA-approved disinfectant to clean these surfaces daily.
- Regular Cleaning Routine: Establish a regular cleaning routine. Dust, vacuum, and mop floors regularly to remove dust, dirt, and allergens. Clean and disinfect bathrooms and kitchens frequently.
- Use Disinfectants Properly: When using disinfectants, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for correct application and contact time. Ensure that surfaces stay wet for the recommended duration to effectively kill germs.
- Wash Bedding and Linens: Launder bedding, pillowcases, and towels regularly using hot water. Make sure to wash these items on the highest heat setting recommended on their care labels.
- Ventilation and Filters: Improve indoor air quality by ventilating your home. Open windows periodically to let in fresh air. Consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters to capture airborne particles.
- Isolate Sick Household Members: If someone in your business is sick with the flu, encourage them to stay at home. When at home, try to isolate them in a separate room and provide them with their bathroom, if possible. This can help prevent the spread of the virus to others.
- Personal Items and Toys: Regularly clean and disinfect personal items like phones, laptops, and children’s toys. Use disinfectant wipes or sprays that are safe for electronics.
- Practice Respiratory Hygiene: Encourage proper respiratory hygiene, such as covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of the elbow when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissues in a lined trash can.
- Trash Disposal: Line trash cans with plastic bags to make disposal easier and cleaner. Dispose of used tissues and other potentially contaminated items promptly.
- Consider a Humidifier: Maintaining indoor humidity levels between 40-60% may help reduce the survival of flu viruses on surfaces and in the air.
- Limit Close Contact: If possible, minimize close contact with people who are sick. Maintain physical distance, especially when someone in your household is ill.
- Educate Family Members and Fellow Workers: Ensure that everyone in your household or office understands the importance of these hygiene and cleaning practices during flu season.
- Regular Vaccinations: Encourage co-workers and family members to get the annual flu vaccine as recommended by healthcare professionals. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent the flu.
- Seek Medical Advice: If someone in your household develops flu-like symptoms, consult a healthcare professional for guidance on care and testing.
The LACOSTA team wants to keep you aware of best practices to avoid colds, flu, and Covid strains. We are acutely aware of our role in helping to maintain the health and well-being of your staff.