How to Stop Germs Dead in Their Tracks
Posted: Monday, January 18, 2010
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
We share our world with innumerable organisms. Some are beneficial and, as we all know, some germs, viruses and bacteria can be quite harmful to our health.
There are a few simple proactive steps to take that halt or alleviate the spread or rapid proliferation of these damaging germs.
Following a few helpful tips will eradicate most germs present in your home or carried on your body:
Always get an adequate amount of sound sleep - you owe it to your own excellent health and immune system. Don’t permit yourself to fall into the bad habit of sleep deprivation.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently
It has never been more important to wash hands thoroughly and often. In order to derive effective results, use a good soap, lather up your hands completely and rub them together briskly. Be sure to cleanse from fingertips to palms, from the backs of your hands all the way to the wrists, and all spaces between your fingers and thumbs. A good meticulous scrubbing for no less than 20 seconds is best practice. Rinse both hands well and dry them carefully.
3. Use sanitizer liberally
Carry a small squirt bottle of hand sanitizer with you in the car or purse. Use sanitizer liberally for 30 seconds to reap full benefits. Put a fair amount on your hands, rub them together applying to fingers and fingertips, and continue rubbing until all moistness has evaporated. Do not rinse your hands after using sanitizer. It is a good idea to teach children to use sanitizer after playing with toys, petting animals, playing and always before eating.
4. Disinfect home surfaces
Disinfect common areas and telephones, cabinets and doorknobs, kitchen and bathroom counters, refrigerators and microwaves as part of regular housekeeping routines. While there is the threat of flu and swine flu, this is an important step for your family’s well-being.
5. Avoid sharing utensils, food, glasses or dinnerware with family members
Often you don’t think twice about sharing a drink with family members. This is a sure-fire way to get “sick germs" when one of you is ill.
6. Wash dishes in very hot water
The home dishwasher is the best method of washing dishes. Water and drying temperatures generated in dishwashers is most conducive to ridding utensils and dishes of food remnants and germs.
7. Cover your nose when you sneeze; hold your hand over your mouth when you cough
Avoid coughing and sneezing freely into the air. Not providing a barrier to germs being voided by nose and mouth is a primary method of spreading germs. It is actually considered more advisable to cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve than to use your hands. Either way, now is a good time to give the hand sanitizer another use.
8. Keep away from public places or large public gatherings
If you are concerned about catching the flu or have underlying health conditions, avoid public contact as much as possible. Wash hands frequently; do not put your own hands near eyes, nose or mouth.
9. Stay at home when you are sick
When you are sick with the flu or cold, it makes common sense to rest at home. Since you are most infectious when you first become ill, relax and sleep. Treat yourself to some R&R and you will feel better in no time.
10. Get a flu shot
Health professionals have advised that the public, especially the young and all at-risk or susceptible people get the regular flu shot and also the swine flu shot. Generally, the best time to get the flu shots is late in the year. It is never too late, however.
There are many antibacterial products available but it is best practice to avoid using them all the time. Bacteria and germs can build up resistance. Since you want these products to remain effective, use them on occasion – say once a week for thorough cleansing – and use non-antibacterial preparations the remaining time during your housekeeping chores.
Practice routine handwashing, avoid unnecessary touching of eyes, nose or mouth, and keep common areas in the house disinfected when illness strikes. You can effectively keep germs away.
This article and many others are written by The Old Gray Mare of www.DressYourHorse.com and www.FantasyKritters.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Good reminder--thanks.
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