The constant threat of COVID-19 calls for extra caution in our day-to-day life and conscious changes to old habits. Without proper measures, there is a far greater chance of spreading bacteria and viruses that cause disease. Precautions like face coverings and social distancing are helpful when you’re in public, but what should you do when you’re at home? How can you keep yourself and your loved ones safe from all the germs, chemicals, and pollutants out there in the world? How should you receive packages or food deliveries without putting your health in jeopardy? Based on the latest expert information, we’ve compiled this guide to help you understand how to prevent all sorts of contaminants from entering your home.
Personal Hygiene
According to the World Health Organization, viruses spread from an infected person to a healthy person through droplets released while talking, coughing, or sneezing. Being in the proximity of an infected person can make you ill too. With a few simple precautions, however, you can greatly reduce the chances of getting infected:
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Be Careful of What You Touch
Touching anything contaminated and then touching your nose, eyes, or mouth can spread germs and get you sick. You should avoid touching your face if you do a lot of work that requires you to use your hands. If you have infants at your home, monitor their surroundings vigilantly to make sure they don’t put anything in their mouths.
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Avoid Using Your Hands to Cover Coughs or Sneezes
Make it a habit to cover your mouth with your elbows whenever you cough or sneeze. If you use your hands, germs will stick to your palms. If you touch your face or any surface afterward, you’ll be putting yourself and others at risk as well. You should also dispose of tissues immediately after use.
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Wash Your Hands Regularly
Wash your hands whenever you prepare food, use the restroom, cough or sneeze, blow your nose, or apply your makeup. Experts advise washing your hands for at least 20-30 seconds with soap and water. If you use hand sanitizer, make sure to keep it with you whenever you leave home.
Regular Disinfection
One of the most effective ways to lower the risk of infection is to regularly clean and disinfect the surfaces of your home that are touched most frequently. These include surfaces like door handles, chairs, tables, kitchen counters, bathroom sinks, remote controls, mobile phones, laptops, and light switches. High-touch surfaces must be cleaned with disinfectant wipes or sprays. Apart from cleaning the surfaces, make sure that the air inside your home is also clean. Regularly check your air filtration systems for possible blockages due to dust. Take the necessary precautions when you’re using disinfectant products. Some products require you to wear gloves and some must be left on the surface for a certain amount of time to be effective. Read the instructions carefully and take the recommended precautions.
Food Safety
When you’re out shopping for food, it can be difficult to maintain social distancing. You must always wear a mask when you go grocery shopping. In areas with high numbers of reported cases of COVID-19, receiving food deliveries can also put you at risk of infection. You must handle the food packaging with great care. Remove and dispose of the packaging or the food container after putting your food on a clean plate. If you’ve ordered a can of soda to wash down your burger and fries, make sure to wipe the can clean before drinking it or storing it in the refrigerator.
There are also a number of important things to keep in mind when you are cooking at home. Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly before use. After you’ve disposed of the packaging, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. Make sure to wash your hands before preparing your meal, after handling any raw animal products, and before eating. Use clean forks, knives, spoons, plates, and glasses. Pay attention to the expiration dates of your food products. Store the perishable food items in the refrigerator or freezer according to food safety guidelines. Finally, avoid letting the trash-can fill to the brim because it can attract bacteria and pests.
A visitor can also bring contaminants to your home. It could be a delivery person, your newspaper guy, the milkman, or a friend. It is important to always stay cautious around other people. Follow social distancing protocols and wear a mask in public. Keep yourself and your surroundings clean and sanitized. Scrub high-touch surfaces regularly and be careful when handling food. While it’s impossible to entirely eliminate the risk of contaminants, by following these steps you can make your home cleaner and keep yourself safer.
