Some germ breeding grounds are evident to anyone with an ounce of common sense, and are well publicized, such as kitchen sponges or the remote control. However, some of the places we visit daily or touch on a regular basis can be just as germ ridden as the pet’s food dish or the public lavatory. Some germ safe houses are easy to avoid while others are impossible. You will never avoid germs, they are everywhere. But just being conscious of the areas make a huge difference. The best safety guard against germs is to wash your hands regularly but more importantly, wash properly. It is a good idea to keep hand sanitizer in your car, purse, or briefcase for when hand washing is not an option. The term “germ” encompasses bacteria and virus. Bacteria are one-celled organisms that get nutrients from their environments in order to thrive. In some cases that environment is a human body. Bacteria can reproduce and cause infections. All bacteria is not bad, in fact some are good for our bodies keeping things in balance. Viruses need to be inside living cells to grow and reproduce, most cannot survive long on their own.
The Dirty Dozen
Kitchen Faucets: So your hands are filthy. You reach for the spigot, and turn it on never thinking about what you are leaving behind. Oh, and by the way you picked whatever you just washed off back up as you turned it off. Microwave Touch Screen: These days we reach for any time safer we can. This surface is often overlooked when cleaning and sanitizing. Light Switches/Doorknobs: We touch them without even think about them, we detail our house cleaning every inch yet we still neglect them. Far from the worst germ area, but better to put it on the cleaning list, especially if there is a sick individual in your house. Conveyor Belts: Forget the fact that multiple people use this in a line all day long. Think about food leaking and recycled around and around breading more bacteria as the hours pass. Playgrounds: Children are like the magic freeway for germ spreading. Multiply your child times the 75 children that swung on that swing, licked the monkey bar, or sneezed into his hand before getting on the merry-go-round. Public Water Fountains: No, I am not going to say to keep your mouth off the spigot; that would be logical. But do take a moment to pull your sleeve over your finger before you press down that well-used button. Baby Changing Table: Fecal matter, do I need to say more!?! You should use at least use disinfectant wipes in between good cleanings regularly. Salt and Pepper Shakers: Think about it, how often do you wash yours? Refrigerator: If you happen to be a domestic goddess this may not be an issue. But seriously, when was the last time you cleaned out your refrigerator with a disinfectant? Shopping carts: One of the nastiest culprits for spreading germs. They are loaded with saliva, bacterial and fecal matter. The menu-restaurants are required to hold up to strict health and sanitary guideline. Their menu is not necessarily a part of that. Generally speaking a menu is cleaned daily, at best. The ATM: We all go there; we cannot live without them but at what health cost. Think about all of the individuals that used the quick source of cash before you. Even worse, imagine that in a hotel, airport or other heavy traffic area.