In times of lock-down, at some point people will step out to get the essentials and there are chances Covid-19 can sneak in your homes. Hence it is essential to keep your home clean and disinfected for your safety.
Coronavirus can be stopped by taking strict preventive measures. The Centers for Disease Control(CDC) recommends steps to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces.
Researchers have found that the novel coronavirus is capable of living on surfaces such as cardboard for 24 hours, but up to two or three days on plastic and stainless steel.
Here’s what you should be doing to keep yourself and your home virus-free:
- Clean and Disinfect your home – First things first cleaning and disinfecting are two different things. Even if nobody in your home is sick, Centres for Disease Control (CDC) recommends doing a bit of both at least once daily to stay safe.
- Cleaningis about removing contaminants from a surface.
- Disinfectingis about killing pathogens.
- Do both daily if anything or anyone has entered or exited your home.
- Everyone’s home is a little different, so just think about the surfaces you interact with most.
- Keep a spray bottle handy at all times. You can just spray the high-touch surfaces and let them be, no need to wipe.
High-Touch Surfaces to Clean and Disinfect Daily:
- Doorknobs
- Table surfaces
- Hard dining chairs (seat, back and arms)
- Kitchen counters
- Bathroom counters
- Faucets, faucet knobs
- Toilets, (seat and handle)
- Light switches
- TV remote controls
First Clean, Then Disinfect:
- Clean the surfaces, removing any contaminants, dust, or debris. You can do this by wiping them with soapy water and a hand towel.
- Add 10ml of Dettol in 100ml of water and wipe the high-touch surfaces with a hand towel. If you don’t have Dettol you can also use rubbing alcohol – this can be used directly, or hydrogen peroxide – the ratio would be 1:1, 50% water and 50% hydrogen peroxide, or computer cleaners; basically any cleaner with 60% alcohol will do the needful.
- Disinfecting clothes – Just washing your clothing with regular laundry soap and drying it is all you have to do to disinfect your clothes.Clean and disinfect the surface, and wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling dirty laundry.
- Disinfect Packages – Yes, lightly. Although mail and packages are relatively low-risk for transmitting Covid-19. Keep in mind that researchers have found that the virus can live on cardboard for 24 hours.So,disinfecting the package with a wipe or spray Health isn’t a bad idea.
- Disinfecting Phones – Disinfect your phone with alcohol solution or disinfecting wipes (Pour some Dettol liquid in a spray bottle along with the water). Make sure you pay special attention to the screen, the buttons, and anywhere dust tend to get trapped. Also make sure you remove any case that’s on your phone, clean underneath, put it back on, and clean the outside. Be careful of how much liquid you use, you don’t want your phone to stop working.
- Disinfecting Computers/Laptop – Laptop displays aren’t always made of glass (matte displays are plastic) so avoid using a disinfecting wipe on the screen, just in case. The display should be cleaned with electronic cleaner or isopropyl alcohol (70 percent) solution and a soft towel. Make sure you wipe down the keyboard, the track pad, the exterior, and where your wrists rest on the laptop.
Most desktop computers are already in sore need for a cleaning. The best way to do that is with a electronics cleaner or isopropyl alcohol solution and a soft towel. just make sure you wipe down the mouse (top, sides, and bottom), the keys on your keyboard, the exterior of the keyboard, and any mousepad you might have.
- Disinfecting electronics – For any other electronic device, if the exterior is largely plasticit’s safe to give them a once-over with a disinfecting wipe or electronic cleaner.
- Wash your hands – We cannot emphasis enough but washing hands is mandatory as it lowers the risk of contracting Covid-19. Wash your hands after you cough, sneeze, touch your face, using the washroom and before you step out – after you step in. Keep in mind there is no alternative for washing hands although sanitiser will do the job.It’s also important to liberally moisturize your hands. Dry, cracked skin is at greater risk for all kinds of infections, so after you wash, apply a little moisturizer.
- Social distancing – Whether you are sick or not, stay at home.Try your best to avoid large crowds and going out to restaurants. Getting out will pose unnecessary risk of getting infected. The more you are in public, the more chances of Coronavirus hitching a ride on your hands, clothes or yourself. Remember putting yourself at risk also puts others at risk so do not take chances.
- Avoid wearing face masks (if you are not sick) – Wearing a mask may give a false sense of security. You may in fact end up touching your face more while adjusting the mask. Covid-19 transmits through person-to-person contact or respiratory droplets. Those droplets don’t stay suspended in the air; they fall on the ground within six feet of the infected person. It is mandatory to wear a mask until and unless you are sick or caring for an ill person. Face masks are in short supply and needed by health carers and those who are sick.
Stay Home, Stay Safe.
