Now more than ever, it is vitally important to maintain germ-free hands. While some ways of doing this are more obvious than others, here are 4 ways to protect yourself from those dreaded germs.
- Wash Your Hands!
Whenever you come into contact with a commonly touched surface, such as ATM buttons or door handles, wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds to effectively remove the majority of viruses and bacteria. Other important times to wash your hands include: before preparing and/or eating food, after touching your face, after touching garbage, after coming into contact with someone who is sick and after using the restroom.
- Sanitize Where Soap and Water Aren’t Available
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using a sanitizer made with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available. Alcohol-based sanitizer should be applied thoroughly to hands after contact with a commonly touched surface and allowed to dry for 20 seconds.
- Disinfect Shopping Carts Before and After Use
Some stores have disinfecting wipes available for customers’ use at the store entrance. Use these wipes to clean your shopping cart or basket handles before you shop and also after you are finished. Doing so will not only protect you from potentially harmful germs but will also help protect the person who uses the cart or basket after you.
- Avoid Touching Surfaces Altogether
Some devices are designed to keep the user safe from touching commonly touched surfaces altogether. These devices, when used properly, can slow the spread of germs and reduce your risk of coming into contact with them. Reducing your exposure to germs translates to less time spent hand washing and more time spent living your life!
There are many ways to maintain germ-free hands. Being mindful of the surfaces you come into contact with and making good decisions regarding your own hand hygiene can be beneficial to you and those around you.
